Method and system for displaying targeted advertisements in an electronic program guide

ABSTRACT

The present invention is an improvement over previous Electronic Programming Guides (“EPG”) in that it provides, among other things: Improved viewer interaction capabilities with the EPG; improved viewer control of video recording of future-scheduled programming; improved features to the EPG display and navigation; parental control of the EPG display; improved television program information access by the viewer; improved opportunities for the commercial advertiser to reach the viewer; improved product information access by the viewer; creation of a viewer&#39;s profile; utilization of viewer profile information to customize various aspects of the EPG; and utilization of viewer profile information to provide customized presentation of advertising to the viewer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/561,165, filed Apr. 28, 2000 now abandoned which is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/120,488, filed Jul. 21, 1998 nowU.S. Pat. No. 6,177,931 which claims priority of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Nos. 60/071,811, filed Jan. 20, 1998, 60/071,812, filed Jan.20, 1998, 60/071,882, filed Jan. 20, 1998, 60/068,375, filed Dec. 22,1997, 60/061,119, filed Oct. 6, 1997, 60/055,761, filed Aug. 14, 1997,60/055,237, filed Aug. 12, 1997, 60/053,330, filed Jul. 21, 1997, and60/034,784, filed Dec. 19, 1996, and PCT International Application No.PCT/US97/23852, filed Dec. 19, 1997, the disclosures of all of which areincorporated herein by reference, as if fully stated here, for allpurposes.

The present application contains subject matter related to the subjectmatter in the following copending patent applications: U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/401,299, filed Mar. 27, 2003 and entitled“METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DISPLAYING ADVERTISEMENTS IN AN ELECTRONICPROGRAM GUIDE”, Ser. No. 10/401,173, filed Mar. 27, 2003 and entitled“METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DISPLAYING PANEL ADVERTISEMENTS IN AN ELECTRONICPROGRAM GUIDE”, Ser. No. 10/401,164, filed Mar. 27, 2003 and entitled“METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DISPLAYING BANNER ADVERTISEMENTS IN AN ELECTRONICPROGRAM GUIDE”, Ser. No. 10/401,301, filed Mar. 27, 2003 and entitled“METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DISPLAYING ADVERTISEMENTS BETWEEN SCHEDULELISTINGS”, Ser. No. 10/406,745, filed Apr. 3, 2003 and entitled “METHODAND SYSTEM FOR DISPLAYING ADVERTISING, VIDEO, AND PROGRAM SCHEDULELISTING”, and published U.S. application Ser. No. 2003-0163813-A1,published Aug. 28, 2003 and entitled “METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DISPLAYINGADVERTISEMENTS IN AN ELECTRONIC PROGRAM GUIDE”.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to television systems, and moreparticularly, to the display of, and recording control interface with,television programs, video, advertising information and programscheduling information.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Television viewers have historically analyzed the information providedby television program schedule guides to select television programs towatch. Historically, television program schedule guides have listed theavailable television programs by day of the week, time of day, channel,and program title. Historically, only hardcopy television programschedule guides were available. More recently, as illustrated by theLevine Patent, U.S. Pat. No. 4,908,713, television program guides havebecome available in electronic form.

The earliest versions of on-screen electronic program guides (“EPG”)provided for the storage of program schedule information in anelectronic memory connected to the television receiver and generallyprovided for the on-screen formatting and display of the programschedule information on the television screen. The early EPGs typicallyoverlaid the television programming. Furthermore, viewer interactioncapabilities with early EPGs was extremely limited.

Later EPGs provided viewer-to-EPG interaction improvements and providedPicture-In-Guide (“PIG”) display of the television program simultaneouswith the display of the EPG. International Application No.PCT/US95/11173 (International Publication No. WO 96/07270), thedisclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein for allpurposes, illustrates such an improvement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an improvement over previous EPGs in that itprovides, among other things:

-   -   A. Improved viewer interaction capabilities with the EPG;    -   B. Improved viewer control of video recording of        future-scheduled programming;    -   C. Improved features to the EPG display and navigation;    -   D. Parental control of the EPG display;    -   E. Improved television program information access by the viewer;    -   F. Improved opportunities for the commercial advertiser to reach        the viewer;    -   G. Improved product information access by the viewer;    -   H. Creation of a viewer's profile;    -   I. Utilization of viewer profile information to customize        various aspects of the EPG; and J. Utilization of viewer profile        information to provide customized presentation of advertising to        the viewer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with regard to the followingdescription, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 is a graphic representation of a sample screen display of theEPG.

FIG. 2 is a drawing of a portion of a remote control device that showskeys for activating various functions of the EPG.

FIG. 3 is a graphic representation of a sample on screen EPG displaydepicting the EPG's on-screen Grid Guide in the programming scrollingmode.

FIGS. 4 a and 4 b is a graphic representation of a sample on screen EPGdisplay depicting the EPG's on-screen Grid Guide in thechannel-scrolling.

FIG. 5 is a graphic representation of a sample on screen EPG displaydepicting the EPG in the Watch Scheduling mode.

FIG. 6 is a graphic representation of a sample on screen EPG displaydepicting the Watch/Record Schedule screen of the EPG.

FIG. 7 is a graphic representation of a sample on screen EPG displaydepicting the top level theme screen display of the EPG.

FIG. 8 is a graphic representation of a sample on screen EPG displaydepicting the second-level theme screen display of the EPG.

FIG. 9 is a graphic representation of a sample on screen EPG displaydepicting the Channel Guide function of the EPG.

FIGS. 10 a and 10 b are graphic representations of sample on screen EPGdisplays depicting one embodiment of the feature of presentingadditional information concerning the subject matter of a highlightedPanel Ad Window.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The disclosure of International Application WO96/07270, published onMar. 7, 1996 is incorporated fully herein by reference. The presentinvention is an improvement on the electronic program guide (EPG)disclosed therein. The apparatus disclosed in the referenced PCTapplication is used to generate the screen displays described below.

In FIG. 1 of the drawing, one embodiment of the EPG with Ad Window andAdvertising Messages is shown. In FIG. 1, a television screen display 10is shown. Display 10 could be generated by a conventional televisionreceiver with interlaced scan lines, by a VCR, by a PC monitor withprogressive scan lines, or by another other type of video displaydevice. In the upper left hand corner of the screen is a PIP window 12.Below window 12 are Panel Ad Windows 14, and 16 (“Ad Windows”). Windows12, 14, and 16 each typically occupy about 1/9 of the total screen area.The remainder of the screen area is typically occupied (moving from topto bottom of the screen) by an action key bar 18, a navigation bar 20, agrid guide 22 (“Grid Guide”), and an information box 24 (the “detailedinformation area). In the embodiment pictured in FIG. 1, the position ofthe windows, and other user interface features, including the action keybar, navigation bar and Grid Guide, are fixed. In another embodiment ofthis invention, as is described further below, the position and size ofthe windows and other user interface features are customizable by theviewer.

In FIG. 2 of the drawing, one embodiment of a remote controller 26 foractivating the functions of display 10 is shown. Remote controller 26could have other keys for activating the functions of a user videodevice, such as a television receiver, a VCR, or a cable box. Remotecontrol 26 has up, down, right, and left arrows keys 28, 30, 32, and 34,respectively, for controlling the movement of a cursor 36 on display 10.Cursor 36 can select, i.e., highlight, any of windows 12, 14, or 16 bypressing arrow keys 28 to 34, any of the titles and channels in GridGuide 22 by pressing arrow keys 32 and 34, or navigation bar 20 bypressing arrow keys 32 and 34. Windows 12, 14, and 16 are highlighted byadding a border around the window or changing the color of the border,if the border is permanent. The titles and channels in Grid Guide 22 andnavigation bar 20 are highlighted by changing color.

Highlighting of windows and/or viewer selections from the Grid Guideand/or navigation and EPG on screen display components may beaccomplished in a number of other ways. For instance, the border of aselected window, or the selected Grid Guide or navigation component, canbe made to appear to flash. Another way to highlight a viewer selectionis to make the selected window or feature appear to become brighter thanthe rest of the on screen display. Yet another way to highlight a viewerselection is to blur all portions of the on screen display, except forthe viewer selected component. Still another way to highlight a viewerselection is to make all portions of the on screen display, except forthe viewer selected component, appear transparent. Still yet another wayto highlight a viewer selection is to add animation to the selectedcomponent. When a portion of the EPG is selected, the system issuesgraphic display commands to the on screen display (OSD) controller toimplement one or more of the desired enhancement technique(s). Theviewer enters the Guide Mode illustrated in FIG. 1 by pressing a “guide”key 35 and returns to the full screen Television Mode by pressing key 35again or by pressing the “select” key. A real time television program isdisplayed in window 12. A translucent overlay of the PIP window 12 candisplay the title, channel (local number and/or station name), andstatus (locked or unlocked) of window 12 over the television program sothe viewer can still see the entire image.

The PIP Window can be locked or unlocked. The “lock/unlock” mode is usercontrolled. To lock or unlock the PIP Window, the viewer can use a PIPbutton on the remote control device, or can highlight and press theLock/Unlock EPG action button. The lock/unlock status is recorded andmaintained until the status is reset by the viewer. That is, thelock/unlock status for the PIP Window in the EPG is maintained when theviewer leaves the Guide and later re-enters the Guide, including whenthe viewer turns off the television. If the viewer selects the “lock”status, the last channel to which the tuner was set in the PIP Windowcontinues to be displayed regardless of the actions exercised by theviewer. In the unlocked status, the channel highlighted by cursor 36 inGrid Guide 22 is displayed if the Grid Guide is displaying currentlytelecast programs and the last currently telecast channel that washighlighted is displayed if the Grid Guide is displaying futureprograms.

There are generally three results to leaving the Guide, depending uponthe way the viewer leaves the Guide. If the viewer, while in the EPG,wants to watch in full screen mode the program shown in the PIP Window,then the viewer can press the Guide button on the remote control device.If the viewer, while in the EPG, highlights a particular channel in theGrid Guide, and then presses the “select” button, the viewer will leavethe Guide to view in the full screen mode the television program thatthe viewer highlighted in the Guide. If the viewer, while in the EPG,presses the “clear” or “cancel” button on the remote control device,then the viewer will leave the Guide and return to the televisionprogram that the viewer was watching immediately before entering theGuide.

Typically, an ad for a future telecast program is displayed in window14. This ad is linked to the time and channel of the program in RAM sothe viewer can watch or record the program automatically by pressing theblue left action button to watch the program, or the green right actionbutton to record the program.

Typically, an ad for a product or service is displayed in window 16.This ad is linked to more information about the product or service inRAM so the viewer can read one or more pages about the product orservice in window 16 by pressing an “info” key 40 one or more times.Alternatively, this ad is linked to the time and channel in RAM that aninfomercial about the product or service will be telecast so the viewercan watch or record the infomercial automatically by pressing “select”key 42.

Bar 18 displays a blue button 44 and/or a green button 46 with legendsthat depend upon the context of the information displayed on the screen.Remote controller 26 has corresponding keys 48 and 50, respectively, toactivate the functions represented by blocks 44 and 46.

From window 12, 14, or 16 the viewer moves to grid guide 22 by pressingarrow key 32. (From grid guide 22 the viewer moves to window 12, 14, or16 by pressing arrow key 34.) In grid guide 22 the viewer moves cursor36 to highlight one of the nine tiles in which channel and title aredisplayed by pressing arrow keys 28 and 30. The viewer can view programlistings scheduled at future times by pressing keys 32 or 34 to movehorizontally about the Grid.

From grid guide 22 the viewer moves to navigation bar 20 by pressingarrow key 28. Initially, the center button is highlighted. To highlighta different button, arrow key 32 or 34 is pressed. To enter the screenrepresented by the highlighted button, “select” key 42 is pressed.

In grid guide 22 details about the program represented by thehighlighted tile are displayed. If more information is available thisfact is indicated by an icon and such information is displayed in thearea occupied by grid guide 22, instead of the grid guide by pressing“info” key 40. To return to the grid guide, “info” key 40 is pressedagain. After an action button has been pressed or an icon on navigationbar 20 has been activated, an instructional prompt may be substitutedfor the program information in information box 24.

In addition to the tiles representing television programs, a virtualchannel ad can be displayed in grid guide 22 on a tile 52. A virtualchannel ad may promote, for instance, a current or future televisionprogram. Such a virtual channel ad for a television program is linked tothe time and channel of the program in RAM so the viewer can watch orrecord the program automatically by pressing “select” key 42 in themanner described in the referenced application. More than one virtualchannel ad may be stored in RAM, but preferably only one such ad isdisplayed at a time.

Reference is made to the TV Guide Plus+ 98 User Interface Specificationv1.42stv, which is attached hereto as Appendix A, the disclosure ofwhich is incorporated by reference as if fully stated herein, for moredescription of the invention.

One embodiment of the hardware for this invention includes a circuitboard consisting of a gate array that provides all of the controlfunctions for access by the processor (e.g., Motorola 68000), control ofmemory (dynamic RAM and external ROM), and some peripheral functionssuch as infrared (“IR”) input and output, frequency synthesizer for thepaging system, and data acquisition from the paging system. Inside thereis a module for creating an on-screen display including a programmableDMA (direct memory access) controller, a color lookup table thatprovides for a field called a color index that can be used to select amore complicated color (more bits than can be expressed in the bit map),first-in-first-out (“FIFO”) memory for ordering the pixels (which allowsthe system to write the pixels as fast as the system is capable ofwriting the pixels and then sending the pixels to the display accordingto a prescribed timing. Included in the chip is a timing subsystem thatproduces a number of different timing signals of varying frequency—fromclocks to long millisecond time measurement, and interrupts.Synchronization signals for the television monitor are also generated bythe internal timing subsystem. The system also typically includescircuits for functions including but not limited to: data receiver,memory controller, timing interface with the processor, datadeinterleaving, error correcting, and synchronous timing generator withhorizontal and vertical counters.

Another feature of one embodiment of the EPG system hardware is thatdisplay list hardware is capable of both video input and output on thesame DMA hardware. The display processor is comprised of a video sectionand a FIFO section in an ASIC. The system has multiple clocks. Thedisplay memory has the capability to store 8 screen tiles in ahorizontal plane.

Described below in more detail are the following improvements to an EPG:

-   -   A. Improved viewer interaction capabilities with the EPG,        including:        -   1. A Variety of Operating Modes.        -   2. Joy Stick and Track Ball Viewer Remote Interface.        -   3. Contextually Sensitive EPG On-Screen Control Mechanisms.        -   4. Watch Scheduling.        -   5. “All Channel” Guide Format, Channel Guide Format and            “Next”/“Previous” Channel Guide.    -   B. Improved viewer control of video recording of        future-scheduled programming, including:        -   1. Recording program displayed in PIP window.        -   2. Recording “Regularly.”        -   3. Record Function rerun filter for “Regularly” recorded            programs.        -   4. Skip recording instruction.        -   5. Automatic Record List Update.        -   6. Recording on recordable Digital Video Discs.        -   7. Speed Sensitive Tape Capacity.        -   8. Record Instruction Conflict Resolution.        -   9. Recording from Theme Guides.    -   C. Improved features to the EPG display and navigation,        including:        -   1. E-mail.        -   2. Multiple Viewable “Windows.”        -   3. Translucency on-screen effects.        -   4. On-screen notifications.        -   5. Theme navigation bar.        -   6. Improved Scrolling through the EPG and Smooth Scrolling.        -   7. “Jumping” in the EPG.        -   8. Thematic color-coding of program schedule.        -   9. Controllable number of days of programming.    -   D. Parental control of the EPG display;    -   E. Improved television program information access by the viewer,        including:        -   1. Virtual Channel Ad Slots and Ad Window program            advertisements.        -   2. Additional detailed information for viewer access            including link to the Internet.    -   F. Improved opportunities for the commercial advertiser to reach        the viewer, including:        -   1. Ad Window product-related video clips and infomercial            recording.        -   2. Ad Window program-related recording.        -   3. Panel Ads.        -   4. Virtual Channel Ad Slots.        -   5. Placeholder Ads        -   6. Full Screen ads.        -   7. Automatic watch channel.        -   8. Ad Features.    -   G. Improved product information access by the viewer, including:        -   1. Ad Window product detail.        -   2. Ad Window product-related recording.        -   3. Ad Window program-related recording.    -   H. Creation of a viewer's profile, including:        -   1. Collecting viewer profile information.        -   2. Analyzing and characterizing viewer profile information.    -   I. Utilization of viewer profile information to customize        various aspects of the EPG; and J. Utilization of viewer profile        information to provide customized presentation of advertising to        the viewer.        A. Improved Viewer Interaction Capabilities With The EPG

1. A Variety of Operating Modes.

Under the improved EPG system, there are multiple modes in which theviewer can operate the television.

a. Television Mode.

In the Television Mode, the viewer watches a full screen display of thetelevision video programming. In one embodiment, in order to enter theEPG, the viewer presses the “Guide” key on the viewer's remote controldevice. In another embodiment, the EPG Grid Guide is the default mode.In the case where the EPG Grid Guide is the default mode, when theviewer turns the television on, the first thing that the viewer sees isthe EPG in Grid Guide Mode as is described more fully below. In oneembodiment, at the viewer's option, as identified in the EPG set upprocedure, the viewer can override the EPG Grid Guide default mode byselecting to automatically enter the Television Mode whenever the viewerfirst turns on the television. During setup procedures, the viewer canfurther instruct the EPG to automatically tune to the last-watchedchannel as identified when the viewer last turned off the television.The viewer can further instruct the EPG to automatically tune to theviewer's favorite channel, as is deduced from analyzing the viewer'sprofile information, described below. Alternatively, the viewer caninstruct the EPG to automatically tune to a particular channel, e.g., anews channel such as CNN.

b. EPG Grid Guide Mode.

In the EPG Grid Guide Mode, the EPG displays the Grid Guide, or in thealternative, a Channel Guide. The viewer can request that the Grid Guideoccupy the entire screen, be displayed over a portion of the screen asan overlay of the video television programming, or, in the preferredembodiment, occupy only a portion of the screen, typically ⅔ of theentire screen, while continuing to show the video television programmingin the PIP Window of the screen. In the preferred embodiment, multipleWindows are displayed for the viewer, as are further described below,including at least: the EPG/Grid Guide Window, the PIP Window, and theAd Window.

Scrolling through the Guide is described below. The viewer can press the“Menu” key on the viewer's remote control device to go to the top of theGuide.

The viewer can return to the full screen display of the video televisionprogramming in a number of ways. One way is to press the “Guide” key onthe viewer's remote control device. Another way is to press the “Select”key on the viewer's remote control device when the on-screenhighlighting/cursor is highlighting a particular program listing on theGrid Guide for a program that is available for real-time viewing.Another way is to press the “last channel” key on the viewer's remotecontrol device to return to the program the viewer was watching beforeentering the Guide, or the last program on which the PIP window waslocked (an option explained further below).

1.) Theme Guide Function.

The EPG provides various Theme Guides, e.g., sports, movies, news, etc.Each Theme Guide presents program listings associated with a particulartheme, e.g., all sports programs. The Theme Guide display format onlydisplays program listings, and consequently channels, for certain timesof the day, with content appropriate for the selected theme. Forinstance, the Sports Theme Guide will display, typically in scheduleorder, only listings for channels that carry sports programs that arescheduled during a certain period of time, e.g., 48 hours, 8 days, etc.

2.) Record Selection Function.

In the Record Selection Function, also referred to as the RecordingFunction, the viewer instructs the EPG what programs to add to theRecord List, which is the list of programs and related programmingschedule information, for programs that the viewer want to haverecorded. As is further described below, the viewer can identify thefrequency/regularity with which the viewer wants to record each programlisted in the Record List.

The viewer can enter the Recording Function in a number of ways. Theviewer can press the “Record” key, if there is one, on the viewer'sremote control device. Alternatively, the viewer can “press” a “Record”action button on the EPG display.

3.) Watch Scheduling Function.

In the Watch Scheduling Function, also referred to as the WatchFunction, the viewer instructs the EPG what programs to add to the WatchList, which is the list of programs and related programming scheduleinformation, for programs that the viewer want to watch. As is furtherdescribed below, the viewer can identify the frequency/regularity withwhich the viewer wants to watch each program listed in the Watch List.

The viewer can enter the Watch Function in a number of ways. The viewercan press the “Watch” key, if there is one, on the viewer's remotecontrol device. Alternatively, the viewer can “press” a “Watch” actionbutton on the EPG display.

4.) Data Download Function.

In some embodiments, data for the EPG schedule, and/or supplementalinformation relevant to the program listings, and/or advertising data,can be downloaded to the memory resident at the viewer's televisionsystem. In the preferred embodiment of the download data system, theviewer will ask the EPG to make certain types of information available;the EPG will use an index of where to find the information and willautomatically connect to the appropriate data source and will downloadthe information. Data for the EPG schedule, and/or supplementalinformation relevant to the program listings, and/or advertising data,can be downloaded from various sources. In one embodiment, data isdownloaded from the Internet. In other embodiments of the download datasystem, the viewer is asked to tune to a particular channel at aparticular time if the viewer is interested in accessing and downloadingparticular types of information.

c. Internet Mode.

Not all embodiments require that data be downloaded to the EPG memory.In one embodiment, the EPG scheduling data, supplemental data and/oradvertising data and the software to format, display, and navigate theEPG scheduling data, supplemental data and/or advertising data isaccessed by the viewer's television system through a direct link betweenthe viewer's television system and the Internet.

In one embodiment of the above-described direct-link to the Internet,the viewer's television is connected to the Internet by telephone linevia modem, by cable modem, by other two-way communication device,including wireless modem communication devices and by other conventionalmethods of communicating with the Internet. The initial connect web siteaddress may be supplied, for instance, through information transmittedto the viewer's television over the vertical blanking interval (the“VBI”). The viewer may also be provided with a selection of multiple EPGInternet web sites. The viewer uses the remote control device to selectone of the EPG Internet web sites.

The viewer's television system is programmed to emulate computer on-lineaccess to the Internet. Once the connection between the viewer'stelevision system and the Internet is made, the user has two-waycommunication with the on-line Internet service provider of the EPGrelated information. The user can then navigate through the EPG.Furthermore, in one embodiment, in which keyboard user interface isavailable, the user can enter chat rooms or other interactive services.

2. Joy Stick and Track Ball Viewer Remote Interface.

The viewing user's video interface (UI) comprises the viewer's remotecontrol device and the television monitor screen display. In oneembodiment of the present invention, one improvement in the UI offeredby the present invention is the use of a joy stick as a substitute forthe traditional remote control device configuration of a circle of four(4) arrow keys (up, down, left and right) with a select key in thecenter. The joy stick UI provides a user-friendly interface with theEPG. Use of the joy stick is intuitive. The viewer/user does not have tolook at the remote once the viewer's finger contacts the remote controljoy stick. Accordingly, the viewer can control the UI whilesimultaneously watching, without interruption, the on-screen display.

In another embodiment of the present invention, one improvement in theUI offered by the present invention is the use of a track ball as asubstitute for the traditional remote control device configuration of acircle of four (4) arrow keys (up, down, left and right) with a selectkey in the center.

In both the track ball and the joy stick embodiments, there is anon-screen “cursor.” The viewer uses the track ball or joy stick remotecontrol device to navigate the cursor to any location on the screen,much as a PC user navigates a cursor on a PC terminal window.

3. Contextually Sensitive EPG On-Screen Control Mechanisms.

“Keys,” “buttons,” menu “bars,” and other such visual control mechanismdevices are displayed on-screen for the control of the EPG. Typically,the visual control mechanism devices are sensitive to user-interaction.Typically, the viewer uses the UI remote control device to highlight aparticular on-screen control device. Typically, the viewer then uses theUI remote control device to select the highlighted on screen controldevice.

In one embodiment of the present invention, positionally constanton-screen control devices are contextually sensitive. That is, aparticular button can be consistently displayed on every screen of theEPG in the same position and with the same color, from one screen to thenext, from one mode to the next. With contextually sensitive controldevices, even though the on screen control device has the sameappearance and placement from one screen to the next and from one modeto the next, the button has a different function, and if selected, willprovide a different result, depending upon the screen on which thebutton appears. In one embodiment, the function of the on-screen controldevice is textually described next to the control device, or, if thecontrol device is sufficiently large, on the face of the control device.

For instance, in one embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4 a and b,5, and 6, the EPG displays two buttons at the top of each of the fourscreens pictured. In each of the four different screens, the top leftbutton has a different function. (As referred to in this application,the directions “left” and “right” refer to the viewer's left and theviewer's right, respectively.) FIG. 3 depicts the EPG's on-screen GridGuide in the programming scrolling mode. In FIG. 3, the viewer's-leftbutton is described as “Watch.” FIGS. 4 a and 4 b depict the EPG'son-screen Grid Guide in the channel-scrolling. In FIGS. 4 a and b, theviewer's-left button is a toggle button, alternately described as “Lock”and “Unlock.” FIG. 5 depicts the EPG in the Watch Scheduling Function.In FIG. 5, the viewer's-left button is described as “Cancel.” FIG. 6depicts the Watch/Record Schedule screen of the EPG. In FIG. 6, theviewer's-left button is described as “Remove.”

4. Watch Scheduling.

The EPG provides the viewer with the opportunity to select programtitles, scheduled for delivery at future times, to watch. By selectingprogram titles, the viewer builds a “watch list.” Watch list options andinstructions provide functionality parallel to the EPG's RecordFunction. Instead of automatically recording the programs selected, theWatch Function automatically turns the television on, if it is notalready on, and automatically tunes the television to the channelscheduled to deliver the designated program, if the television is notalready tuned to that channel. This feature provides the viewer with theopportunity to watch a program of special interest at the scheduled timeeven if the viewer has forgotten about the scheduled delivery. Thisfeature will also provide for parental selection of program viewing forchildren.

The viewer can enter the Watch Scheduling Function in a number of ways.The viewer can enter the Watch Scheduling Function by selecting thatFunction from the EPG menu. The viewer can also enter the WatchScheduling Function by highlighting an Ad Window displaying anadvertisement for a future-scheduled program or a Virtual Channel AdSlot displaying an advertisement for a future-scheduled program (both ofwhich are described elsewhere in this application).

The viewer can designate any program on the Watch List as a program thatthe viewer wants to watch regularly. In one embodiment, if the viewerenters the Watch Scheduling Function by highlighting an Ad Window orVirtual Channel Ad Slot, then if the viewer chooses to designate theprogram as a “regular” watch, the designation expires after a certainamount of time if the advertiser stops running the advertisement. Theplanned expiration is an incentive to the advertisers to renew theiradvertisements.

5. “All Channel” Guide Format, Channel Guide Format and“Next”/“Previous” Channel Guide.

The viewer can choose to view the Grid Guide in an “all channel” formatwhich displays in some order every channel and the listings of programsalready in progress or scheduled to begin at some time in the future. Inthe “all channel” format, the viewer scrolls up and down the listingsfor each channel and from left to right and right to left to view thelistings for a channel scheduled for different times during the day.Typically, the left-most portion of the guide begins with the earliestscheduled programs and continues to the right serially through thelistings scheduled at later times during the day.

As an alternative, the viewer can choose to view the programs scheduledfor one channel at a time (a “Channel Guide”). In this format, theviewer scrolls up and down the listings for a single channel asscheduled for different times of the day. Typically, the “top” of theChannel Guide begins with the earliest scheduled program and continuesserially through the listings scheduled at later times during the day.FIG. 9 is a graphic representation of a sample on screen EPG displaydepicting the Channel Guide function of the EPG.

In the “Channel Guide” format, the viewer can select to view the ChannelGuide for the “next” channel or for the “previous” channel. In oneembodiment, the “Next” and “Previous” Channel Guide is an option on oneof the EPG menus, action buttons or task bars. In another embodiment,the viewer's remote control device provides “Next” and “Previous”Channel Guide keys. In another embodiment, the viewer uses the up anddown arrow keys to navigate to the next or previous Channel Guides.

B. Improved Viewer Control Of Video Recording Of Future-ScheduledProgramming

1. Recording Program Displayed in PIP Window.

As explained in more detail below, the EPG provides for multiple“windows.” One window displays the currently tuned program. When theviewer enters the EPG from the television mode, the PIP window is“highlighted.” In one embodiment, highlighting of the PIP window isaccomplished by a color change of the border around the PIP window.While the PIP window is highlighted, the viewer can instruct the EPG torecord the displayed program. In one embodiment, the viewer records thedisplayed program in the highlighted PIP window by pressing the recordbutton on the viewer's remote control device.

2. Recording “Regularly.”

One embodiment of the present invention provides the viewer with theoption of recording a particular program “regularly.” The “regularly”option can be selected when the viewer highlights a particular programtitle on the EPG Grid Guide. Viewer selection of the “regularly” optioninstructs the VCR control system to record the particular title on theselected channel at the selected time slot any day of the week that theprogram is telecast. If a telecast of the selected title is preempted byanother program, the new program is not recorded. The change in thetelecast schedule is determined by comparing the title of the selectedprogram to the title of the program actually telecast. In one embodimentof the invention, it is assumed that the title of the program actuallytelecast is carried in the vertical blanking interval of the televisionsignal. When the viewer has instructed the EPG to “regularly” record aparticular program, if the selected program is preempted by anotherprogram, the preempting program is not recorded and the EPG displays amessage notifying the viewer that the selected program was preempted andwas not recorded.

3. Record Function Rerun Filter for “Regularly” Recorded Programs.

The EPG is capable of detecting reruns. The identification of theprogram as a rerun may be carried in the VBI of the program broadcast.In another embodiment, the rerun identification information is availablein the program detail. In one embodiment of the Record Function, whenthe viewer selects the “Regularly” record option, the viewer is alsogiven the option of filtering reruns. If the viewer selects the rerunfilter option, then every time the program is regularly scheduled, theEPG determines whether or not the program episode to be delivered isidentified as a rerun. If the episode is a rerun, and if the viewer hasselected the rerun filter option for that program title, then the EPGwill not record the episode.

4. Skip Recording Instruction.

In the EPG's Record Function, the viewer selects a program title forrecording. Once a program title has been selected, the viewer is askedto select a record-scheduling option. The viewer can select Once, Daily,Weekly, or Regularly as a record-scheduling option. If the viewer hasselected a record-scheduling option of Daily, Weekly, or Regularly, oneembodiment allows the viewer to skip recording of the program one time.The One-time skip instruction would result in the EPG not recording theprogram title, even though the record instruction for that program titleremained in the record list.

In the EPG's Record Function, the viewer can turn select the skipinstruction for all programs on the Record List, or for selectedprograms on the Record List. This feature might be used when the viewergoes on vacation. The programs remain on the Record List. At theviewer's option, the viewer can turn off the skip instruction for allprograms on the Record List, or for selected programs on the RecordList.

5. Automatic Record List Update.

In the EPG's Record Function, the EPG will detect changes in programscheduling as compared to record instructions for particular programtitles designated for recording. In one embodiment, when the EPG detectsprogram scheduling changes, the Record List is automatically updatedwith the schedule change information. For instance, if a sports eventruns longer than the originally scheduled time, a packet of schedulingupdate information can be transmitted over the VBI that updates the timeof the programs scheduled to be telecast after the sports event. The EPGdetects the VBI scheduling updates and updates the recording list topermit the recording of any programs following the sports program to berecorded as appropriate.

6. Recording on Recordable Digital Video Discs.

The viewer can instruct the EPG to record programs on recordable DigitalVideo Discs (DVD's). Because of the extended storage capacity of DVD's,the viewer can instruct the EPG to record and index an extended periodof programming. For instance, the viewer can instruct the EPG to recordand index, e.g., 4 hours of CNN news broadcasts certain number. When theviewer is ready to view the DVD recording, the EPG displays the DVDindex on screen. The viewer can then select to view either the entireDVD, or only those portions of the recording in which the viewer isinterested.

In one embodiment, program-level indexing of recorded programs iscreated. In another embodiment, intra-program indexing is created byusing information transmitted in the VBI of the video transmitted. Inthis embodiment, a recording of CNN would likely show indexingbreakdowns that include themes, such as “International News,” “NationalNews,” “Sports,” “Entertainment,” “Business & Finance,” and “Weather.”

In yet another embodiment, intra-program indexing is created using someconstant time interval. The index shows a start and end time interval,and audio content excerpts.

In still another embodiment, indexing software analyzes the audiocontent of the program recorded (“Content Analysis. Program”). This istypically in addition to using all indexing breakdown informationtransmitted in the VBI of the program. The Content Analysis Program usesspeech and voice recognition technology to analyze, among other things,such variables as: changes in announcers, changes in tone, changes inspeed, topical words, geographic locations, substantive words. TheContent Analysis Program then creates a topical index in addition to thetheme index described above.

7. Speed Sensitive Tape Capacity.

The EPG's Record Function provides a Record List that identifies thetitles of programs that the viewer has selected to be recorded. Thespeed sensitive tape capacity feature uses color coding to identify inone color the titles that would fit on one tape at a fast tape speed andto separately identify, with another color, the titles that would fit onone tape at slow tape speed.

8. Record Instruction Conflict Resolution.

The EPG's Record Function recognizes conflicts in viewer recordinstructions. In one embodiment, the EPG's Record Function prompts theviewer to resolve the conflict. For instance, in the Record Function,the EPG would accept viewer instructions to record a particular program.The EPG compares the newly received record instruction to as-yetincompletely executed, or as yet unexecuted, record instructions in theRecord List. If the EPG detects an overlap in date, time and durationbetween the newly received instruction on the one hand and one or moreof the remaining record instructions in the Record List, the EPG formatsa message to the viewer describing the conflict. The message describesto the user the newly received instruction to record a particularprogram and the conflicting record instructions in the Record List. InRecord Function, the EPG will prevent entry of conflicting instructionsinto the Record List. The EPG will require that the viewer revise therecord instructions to eliminate the conflict. In one embodiment, if theEPG detects that one recording instruction pertains to a “oneoccurrence” program that conflicts in date, time and duration with arecording instruction to record a “regularly recorded” program, the EPGwould format an on screen message that would suggest to the viewer thatthe viewer select the “one occurrence” program to be recorded. Inanother embodiment, the EPG automatically “decides” to override the“regularly record” instruction and will record the “one occurrence”program with no further intervention by the viewer.

One way to resolve a recording instruction conflict is to chose analternative occurrence of the conflicting program for recording. In oneembodiment of the EPG, the viewer can highlight a particular program inthe EPG and request a list of all occurrences of that program for theweek. The viewer can then instruct the EPG to record an alternativeoccurrence of the program. In an alternative embodiment, the viewer canview an alphabetical list of all programs for the week. The viewer canmark a program for viewing or recording from the alphabetical list.

9. Recording From Theme Guides.

The EPG provides various Theme Guides, e.g., sports, movies, news, etc.When the viewer selects a particular Theme Guide, e.g., the Sports ThemeGuide, the viewer can instruct the EPG to record an event while in theTheme Guide without having to exit the Theme Guide and go to the programGrid Guide. For instance, in the Sports Theme Guide, the viewerinstructs the EPG to add a sports event to the Record List by clickingon the box score for a particular sports event and/or on the sportsprogram listing in the Sports Theme Guide.

C. IMPROVED FEATURES TO THE EPG DISPLAY AND NAVIGATION

1. E-mail.

In the preferred embodiment, the EPG interfaces with the Internet/WorldWide Web. In the preferred embodiment, the viewer can access theInternet to send and receive e-mail.

In another embodiment, the television terminal is separatelyaddressable, and the head end controls e-mail traffic between viewers onits network. To facilitate two-way transmission a 900 or toll freenumber is used as a back link. E-mail can then be sent to theappropriate viewer through the VBI to the viewer's separatelyaddressable television.

2. Multiple Viewable “Windows.”

The EPG UI screen provides for multiple viewable “windows.” One windowpresents the EPG Grid Guide. Another window presents thepicture-in-picture (PIP) window on which the currently tuned program isdisplayed. Another window displays advertising information (the “AdWindow”). Advertising may be in the form of graphics and textualinformation. Alternatively, advertising may be in the form of videodisplay. In one embodiment, the Ad Windows are interactive.

As the viewer enters the EPG from the television mode, the PIP window ishighlighted. The viewer can lock the PIP window. Locking the PIP windowallows the viewer to continue to watch the television program beingdisplayed in the PIP window while the viewer scrolls through the EPGprogram Grid Guide. Unlocking the PIP window causes the video for theprogram title highlighted in the Grid Guide to be displayed in the PIPwindow.

As described further below, the viewer can also highlight the Ad Window.Doing so will cause additional text describing the product to bedisplayed in the detail box are of the EPG Grid Guide.

If the Ad Window displays information about a particular product,pressing a record button will instruct the EPG to record an infomercial,to the extent that one is scheduled for a future time. Alternatively,the Ad Window can display information about a future-scheduledtelevision program or about a series of programs to be telecast over aperiod of time. In that case, pressing a record button will instruct theEPG to record the future-scheduled program. Alternatively, the viewercan designate the program for the Watch List.

In one embodiment, the viewer navigates from the Grid Guide to the PIPWindow by pressing the left arrow key until the cursor/highlightingreaches the PIP Window. From the PIP Window, the viewer uses the rightarrow key to move back to the Grid Guide. In one embodiment, moving fromthe PIP Window to the Grid Guide causes the cursor to scroll to the verytop of the Grid Guide lineup. From the top of the Grid Guide lineup,pressing the up arrow key moves the cursor to the navigation bar. TheEPG provides several possible destinations on the navigation bar, e.g.,info center, sports, news, set up, help, etc.

From the PIP Window, pressing the down arrow key moves the cursor to theAd Window.

The viewer can set a default, or allow the system default, to highlighta particular navigation bar destination when the viewer initially entersthe Grid Guide.

In another embodiment of this invention, the position and size of thewindows and other user interface features are customizable by theviewer. This feature is similar to the PC user's ability under aMicrosoft Windows operating system to control the size and position ofvarious functional windows. The difference here is that, in contrast to,e.g., a Windows 95 operating system which allows the PC user to controlthe size and position of various functional windows on the face of astatic PC monitor background, the present invention allows thetelevision viewer to manipulate the PIP Window carrying a video signalof a first television channel tuned by a first television tuner and thevarious EPG Windows and EPG features on the face of the televisionmonitor, while the television monitor continues to receive a secondvideo signal of a second television channel tuned by a second televisiontuner.

3. Translucency On-Screen Effects.

In one embodiment, the EPG creates special translucency visual effects.To create the translucency effect, the system alternates the displayformat pixel by pixel—one pixel is the color of the overlay and the nextpixel is transparent.

4. On-Screen Notifications.

The EPG formats on-screen notifications to the viewer and displays thenotification to the viewer. On-screen notifications can be used to alertthe viewer to any number of possible items of information. For instance,the EPG can notify the viewer that the EPG will begin recording aparticular program within a certain amount of time, e.g., 2 minutes. Therecord notification could further ask the viewer whether to switch thecable box to record the program. If the viewer indicated that the viewerdid not want the EPG to switch to the cable box to record the program,then the EPG would delete the program from the record list. Anotherexample would be to notify the viewer that a program that may be ofinterest (e.g., as determined from analyzing the Viewer's Profile) willbe broadcast on another channel within a certain amount of time, e.g., 2minutes. The EPG could then ask if the viewer wants to view the programon the other channel. If the viewer indicates that the viewer wants towatch the program on the other channel, then the EPG will automaticallytune to the other channel at the appropriate time. Alternatively, theEPG could ask the viewer is the viewer wants to record the program onthe other channel and could then record that program at the appropriatetime if the viewer answers affirmatively.

If the television is in television mode, the notification will bedisplayed on-screen. The notification can be displayed in a number ofways, including: 1.) a complete screen overlay; 2.) a partial screenoverlay; 3.) The real time program video is automatically changed to aPIP format, and the notification is displayed outside of the PIP window;4.) The real time program video is automatically changed to a PIPformat, and the notification is displayed inside of the PIP window; 5.)as a “watermark” somewhere on-screen; 6.) an on-screen icon is displayedwhich can be “pressed” by the viewer using the navigation keys on theviewer's remote control device, and which, if pressed, displays thenotification in one of the above formats; 7.) the program video iscompressed slightly to fit in some percentage, e.g., 90%, of the top ofthe screen, and the notification is displayed as a horizontally-rollingmessage at the bottom of the screen; 8.) the program video is compressedslightly to fit in some percentage, e.g., 90%, of the bottom of thescreen, and the notification is displayed as a horizontally-rollingmessage at the top of the screen.

If the television is in some mode other than the television mode, theEPG can notify the viewer through some modification of one of theabove-described formats. For instance, if the television is in the GridGuide mode in a PIP format, then the EPG could use any of format numbers1.), 2.), 5.), 6.), 7.), 8.) or, the EPG could notify the viewer bydisplaying the notification in the Ad Window, a virtual ad channel slot,in the detail information window, or in a horizontally-rolling messageat the top or bottom of the screen.

5. Theme Navigation Bar.

The theme display is above the top of the Grid Guide. In one embodiment,the Grid Guide display provides for a “page up” on-screen button. In oneembodiment, the Grid Guide display also provides for a “menu” button.The viewer can scroll to the top of the Grid Guide by successively“pressing” the page up on-screen button, or by “pressing” the menubutton.

6. Improved Scrolling Through the EPG and Smooth Scrolling.

In the top level screen of the EPG in Grid Guide mode, the viewer usercan jump directly to a future day of programming schedule information.

In one embodiment, the Grid Guide display provides for a “page up”on-screen button.

Program schedule information for a plurality of channels is displayed ona screen of the EPG in Grid Guide mode. Titles are shortened for displayin the Grid Guide to conserve space. The entire title is available tothe system and is displayed in the detailed description area of the GridGuide when the viewer highlights a tile in the Grid Guide for thecorresponding program listing. But the EPG shortens the titles,according to a set of rules for shortening the titles, so that thetitles fit in the scheduling tiles of the Grid Guide.

The viewer can scroll up or down through the program listings. Whilescrolling, the titles are not drawn until the scrolling stops. Such adelay in drawing titles speeds up the processing and makes the screenappearance less confusing. While scrolling, the cursor will nothighlight the top or the bottom tile on the screen unless the channel isthe top or bottom of the lineup. The absence of highlighting signals tothe viewer that more channels remain in the scrolled direction.

A further improvement to the EPG User Interface (“UI”) is thedevelopment of “Smooth Scrolling.” When the cursor reaches the secondtile from the bottom, and a new tile appears on the bottom, the entiretile and its contents, e.g., a program title, grow gradually in heightuntil the newly appearing tile reaches full tile height. At the sametime, the tile that is disappearing from the top of the screen, and thecontents of that top tile, shrink in height until the tile is gone. Thisprovides a smooth transition in the overall screen display but is notactually perceptible because it is changing at 1/60 of a sec.

Smooth Scrolling is less disorienting to the viewer than a page by pagescreen change, which is the scrolling technique used in existing onscreen guides. The entire bit map does not need to be redrawn as youscroll up one tile—only the top tile is shrunk or compressed in thevertical dimension.

In one embodiment, while slowly scrolling, the new title appearing onthe screen is not redrawn until the scrolling stops. While rapidlyscrolling multiple tiles, the processor stops redrawing the title on anyof the tiles during the scroll; the processor waits until the scrollstops or slows down to redraw the titles. This permits faster scrollingbecause the titles do not have to be retrieved until the screen reachesthe desired point. Redrawing the data is very processor intensive. Aspecial interaction between the firmware and the hardware is required tominimize redrawing the bit map and retrieving data from memory. Thisapplies to both vertical and horizontal scrolling. The user can remainoriented because the channel identifiers and schedule times remaindisplayed.

7. “Jumping” in the EPG.

The viewer can “jump” to the desired action or location in the EPG in anumber of ways. In the Grid Guide, the viewer can jump to the channelslot for a particular channel by entering the digits of the channelidentification number on the key pad of the viewer's remote controldevice. The EPG interprets the number and calculates the proper positionfor the EPG cursor. The EPG then displays the cursor at the appropriatechannel slot on-screen.

In one embodiment, the viewer's favorite and/or most watched channelsare displayed as buttons on a favorite channel selection bar somewhereon the EPG display of the Grid Guide. The viewer can jump to one of theviewer's favorite channels by “pressing” the appropriate channel button.

In another embodiment, the viewer's remote control device displaysletters associated with the numbers on the key pad. The viewer can use aspecial “Alt” key to allow the viewer to press the keys as if alphabeticand/or alphanumeric. In this way, the viewer can enter a channelidentifier, such as “CNN”.

In yet another embodiment, the viewer can request a pull down menu offavorite channel identifiers and can select a channel from the pull downmenu.

In yet another embodiment, the viewer can set “bookmarks” in the EPG byusing a “bookmark” key on the viewer's remote control device, oralternatively, a “bookmark” button on the EPG display. The viewer canpress the “bookmark” key when the user wants to mark a current locationfor later return. The viewer can then scroll, jump, or otherwisenavigate away to some other location in the EPG. When the viewer wantsto return to the book marked location, the viewer can press the“lastmark” key (on either the viewer's remote control device, oralternatively on the EPG display). The EPG can record a plurality ofbook marked locations. In one embodiment, the EPG can remember bookmarked locations after the viewer turns off the television and thenturns on the television multiple times.

8. Thematic Color-Coding of Program Schedule.

The EPG categorizes programs according to a plurality of themes. In oneembodiment, the EPG color codes the presentation of the program in theGrid Guide according to the theme categorization assigned to theprogram.

9. Controllable Number of Days of Programming.

Typically, the EPG will carry only 2 days of program listings. At theviewer's selection, the EPG can carry only a single day of programlistings. The single day option provides a smaller range of programlistings but increases response time. Alternatively, the viewer canselect to carry any number of days of program listings, up to the numberof days that is provided for by the particular installation, which isset by the corresponding amount of memory storage available.

D. Parental Control of the EPG Display

The Parent viewer initially enters the Parental Control Function duringinitial EPG setup procedures. In the EPG setup procedure, the Parentidentifies all viewers of the television, and assigns individual viewerIdentifiers. The Parent viewer also establishes a password for saidParent viewer. U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/085.401(“V-CHIP Plus+: In-Guide User Interface Apparatus and Method forProgrammable Blocking of Television and other viewable programming suchas for Parental Control of a Television Receiver”) describes ParentalControl setup procedures for the identification of individual viewersand initialization of password protection, the disclosure of which isincorporated by reference here as if fully stated herein.

In the Parental Control Function, the Parent selects the channels andprograms that can be visible in the Grid Guide for a particular viewerand selects channels and/or programs that are to be blocked fromviewing. Child viewers, as identified during setup procedure, will viewa simplified Grid Guide and will be blocked from viewing the programs somarked by the Parent. In one embodiment, individual viewers areidentified by viewer ID and password. In another embodiment, individualviewers have different remote control devices, the use of which is alsopassword protected.

E. Improved Television Program Information Access by the Viewer

1. Virtual Channel Ad Slots and Ad Window Program Advertisements.

As described below, the EPG provides the viewer with multipleopportunities to obtain detailed information about television programs.As is further described below, the EPG provides the viewer theopportunity to select Virtual Channel Ad Slots or Ad Window displaysthat advertise future-scheduled television programs and get additionalinformation in the way of text or video clips.

2. Additional Detailed Information for Viewer Access Including Link tothe Internet.

The EPG displays detailed information relevant to program listings inthe detailed information area of the Grid Guide. The detailedinformation can include, among other things, a detailed textualdescription of the program, information about the actors and actresses,information about the production of the program, product relatedinformation, identification of relevant Internet web sites and onlineInternet chat rooms. The EPG provides the viewer with the ability torequest detailed information from such guides/data services in a numberof ways, including when the viewer highlights: a particular program inthe Grid Guide, the Ad Window, or a Virtual Channel Ad Slot. In oneembodiment, the viewer's remote control device has a power “Information”key. When the viewer has navigated the on screen highlighting/cursor toa particular tile or window on the EPG on screen display, the viewer canpress the remote control device “Information” key to request theadditional information.

In one embodiment, when the viewer highlights a particular program inthe Grid Guide, the Ad Window, or a Virtual Channel Ad Slot, or otherrequests access to detailed program-related information, the EPGconnects the viewer with an external database of information, such aswith a particular web site on the Internet. The viewer can instruct theEPG to connect the user with detailed specialized informationguides/data services, such as sports, news, or other guides/dataservices. In one embodiment, the linking to the external data source isaccomplished by storing a web site address with the Ad Window or VirtualChannel Ad Slot advertisement in the RAM of the user terminal.

A sports program listed in the Grid Guide provides an illuminatingexample of how the viewer interacts with such a detailed specializedinformation guide/data service. When the viewer highlights a footballgame listed in the Grid Guide, the normal detail concerning the programis displayed in the detailed information are of the Grid Guide.Furthermore, multiple icons related to the highlighted program can bedisplayed in the Grid Guide. One icon alerts the user that the game isalready underway. Another icon indicates the availability of specializedguide information. The viewer can select the program from the Grid Guidefor viewing and/or recording. In addition, the viewer can select thespecialized guide icon. In the case of a sports program, selecting thespecialized guide icon would display, for instance, a scoreboard for thegame if the game were already in progress in the detailed informationarea of the Grid Guide. If the game were scheduled for a future time,then selecting the specialized guide icon would display, for instance,information about the players, the teams, and perhaps, the odds aboutthe game.

Another icon, displayed for instance in the display of the sports guidescoreboard, provides the viewer with the option of connecting to theInternet, e.g., to a particular web site that provides additionalinformation about the game, possibly, including online chat about thegame. In one embodiment, the EPG switches to full screen to display ofthe Internet web site. In another embodiment, the EPG displays theInternet web site in the area of the screen previously occupied by theGrid Guide and/or the Grid Guide and the Ad Window, while continuing todisplay the real time video display of the currently tuned televisionprogram in the PIP window. Alternatively, the EPG can display theInternet web site in the PIP window and display the currently tunedtelevision program in the area of the screen previously occupied by theGrid Guide and/or the Grid Guide and the Ad Window. The Internet website to which the EPG initially connects (the “contact web site”) may bea specialized directory, using pre-determined hyperlinks to the viewerto other cites of interest. The contact web site may additionally, or inthe alternative, offer search capabilities to the viewer to locateinformation of interest.

Once the viewer is connected with a specialized information guide/dataservice, the viewer can use the guide/data service to direct the viewerto particular information contained in the EPG Grid Guide. For instance,a viewer selects a news program to watch. While watching the newsprogram, the news broadcaster describes an event involving astronauts.The viewer selects the news guide/data service icon and connects to aweb site on the Internet describing, among other things, additionalinformation about the particular event involving the astronauts. Theviewer uses the search engine offered by the contact web site to locateadditional information about the same astronauts. At the subsequent websites, a Discovery Channel program is mentioned concerning some of thesame astronauts. The viewer instructs the EPG to locate any occurrenceof the referenced program and to schedule that program to be recorded.In one embodiment, a PLUS CODE-like address is used to link to, orrecord, the scheduled program.

The viewer can search an index, available on the Internet and created bya news data service, of recorded television news programs and reports.The viewer can search the index. If the viewer selects one of theindexed reports, a video clip of the indexed report will be shown in thearea on the screen occupied by the Internet web site display, or anyalternate area or portion of the on-screen display. The viewer caninstruct the EPG to record the video clip.

The EPG is capable of integrating additional information provided by thespecial data services into the EPG display. For instance, in the case ofa sports data service, the EPG can format the program listing displayand/or the sports scores for a game with special color coding dependingupon the stage of the game. For instance, if the game is in progress,the EPG will format the program listing and/or the sports scores forthat game with one color, e.g., green; if the game is completed, theprogram listing and/or the final scores can be in a different color,e.g., blue. If the game is in progress, the viewer can highlight andselect the box score to move from the box score to the game shown on thetelevision. In one embodiment, the selected television sports programappears in the PIP Window or the Ad Window, allowing the viewer to readthe sports program-related story in the sports guide while watching thecorresponding television sports program.

The EPG is further capable of linking between news items in a specialnews guide and related television programs. The viewer can link to anews program to watch or record that program by highlighting andselecting a news item in a news guide. In one embodiment, the selectedtelevision news program appears in the PIP Window or the Ad Window,allowing the viewer to read the story in the news guide while watching atv news program that reports on the event.

In one embodiment, the VBI for selected channels are dedicated to thedelivery of a special data service. For instance, the ESPN VBI wouldcarry the sports data service only. In one embodiment, as an incentiveto carry this data, the data service would display the ESPN TV programin the PIP window. Since the tuner must be set to ESPN to capture thedata, the television signal is available for display in the PIP.

F. Improved Opportunities for the Commercial Advertiser to Reach theViewer

1. Ad Window Product-related Video Clips and Infomercial Recording

The EPG provides producers of infomercials with extended capabilities toreach the viewers through the Ad Window. Because of the cost of buyingadvertising time, a growing number of product manufacturers andmarketers produce infomercials about their products and then buyrelatively inexpensive air time for their infomercials according tooff-prime-time schedules, often on non-prime channels. The EPG providesthe producers of infomercials with the opportunity to provide the viewerwith the opportunity to record an infomercial that is broadcast at atime, or on a channel, that would be inconvenient for the viewer towatch real-time.

If the Ad Window displays information about a particular product,pressing a record button will instruct the EPG to record an infomercialor advertisement, to the extent that one is scheduled for a future time.Alternatively, the viewer can designate the infomercial or advertisementfor the Watch List. Alternatively, the EPG provides the producers ofinfomercials with the opportunity to provide the viewer with theopportunity to view a video clip about the product being advertised.

In one embodiment, the video clip associated with the product and/orprogram displayed in the Ad Window is shown when the viewer highlightsthe Ad Window. Depending upon the embodiment and/or viewer optionselections, the video clip is shown in the PIP window, in the Ad Window,or full screen. At the conclusion of the video clip, the EPG typicallyreturns to the mode in which the viewer was operating immediately beforeselecting the option that triggered the display of the video clip.

2. Ad Window Program-related Recording

The EPG provides distributors of television programming with additionalopportunities to reach the viewer. The Ad Window can display informationabout a future-scheduled television program. If the viewer is interestedin recording the program, the viewer can take a number of alternativeactions. For instance, in one embodiment, the viewer can instruct theEPG to record the future-scheduled program. In one embodiment, theviewer presses record button on the remote control device to instructthe EPG to record the future-scheduled program. Alternatively, theviewer can instruct the EPG to add program to the Watch List.Alternatively, the viewer can instruct the EPG to display a video clipabout the program. Yet further, the viewer can instruct the EPG toconnect the user with detailed specialized information guides/dataservices, such as sports, news, or other guides/data services. The EPGprovides the viewer with the ability to request detailed informationfrom such guides/data services in a number of ways, including when theviewer highlights: a particular program in the Grid Guide, the AdWindow, or a Virtual Channel Ad Slot. In one embodiment, the EPGdisplays relevant detailed information in the detailed information areaof the Grid Guide. In another embodiment, the EPG connects the viewerwith an external database of information, such as with a particular website on the Internet.

3. Panel Ads.

In one embodiment, Panel ads occupy a fixed area in the Guide and aregenerally filled with paid advertisements. Located directly below thePIP in an Ad Window, space is available in the Guide for two Panel ads.Each Panel ad occupies approximately 1/9th of the total screen area. Theusable area of a Panel ad is 132 pixels high×160 pixels wide, with 2pixel wide black borders all around and 2 pixels of gray on the left andright sides and between the two ad spaces. When a given ad space is notsold, the space will be filled with a Placeholder ad, stored in ROM, andinserted in the available space, or with a bonus ad.

An advertiser may purchase both 1/9th screen areas, thus creating asingle ad with a usable space of 270 pixels high by 160 pixels wide,with 2 pixel wide black borders all around and 2 pixels wide of gray onthe left and right sides.

In one embodiment, all Guide screens are made up of “hard pages.” A hardpage is defined as an area comprising 9 channel slots. Each time a userscrolls below the 9*x channel slot, a new “hard page” appears. Scrollingback up will bring the previous hard page back into view. Each hard pagemay have different Panel ads associated with it.

In one embodiment, Hard pages are defined differently in the Sortscreens. Each sort category (e.g. Movies, Sports, Children's) will beconsidered one hard page regardless of the number of items in the listvertically. As the user moves horizontally from one category to thenext, the Panel ads will change.

The number of hard pages available depends on the size of the user'slineup and the number of channels turned on or off. In the event thatthere are not enough channels to support the number of hard pagesrequired for the number of Panel ads sold, not all Panel ads will bedisplayed. For example, assume that 4 pairs of Panel ads and 4 Channelads are saved in memory. Additionally, assume a particular user has 20active channels in his channel lineup. Then the ads would be displayedas follows:

-   -   Panel ad Pair 1 with channels 1-8 and the first Channel ad    -   Panel ad Pair 2 with channels 9-16 and the second Channel ad    -   Panel ad Pair 3 with channels 17-20 and the third and fourth        Channel ads

If the user turned on more channels requiring the addition of a fourthhard page, then the fourth Panel ad Pair would become visible.

In one embodiment, the user can highlight these ads, resulting in theautomatic display of an expanded information box. This expandedinformation box covers the entire right-hand ⅔rds of the grid. The usercloses the expanded information box by moving the highlight off thePanel ad or by pressing the information button after the last relatedinformation box screen has been presented. FIGS. 10 a and 10 b aregraphic representations of sample on screen EPG displays depicting oneembodiment of the feature of presenting additional informationconcerning the subject matter of a highlighted Panel Ad Window. In oneembodiment, Panel ads are surrounded by flat black borders. When a panelad is highlighted, the border turns yellow. When a program is set torecord the border turns red (dark red when the Panel ad is nothighlighted, light/bright red when highlighted). When a program isscheduled to watch, the border turns orange (dark orange when the Panelad is not highlighted, light/bright orange when highlighted).

In one embodiment, there can be multiple information “screens” displayedsequentially in the expanded information box. Pressing the Info. buttonwhile an ad is highlighted accesses these additional screens. There isno finite limit to the number of additional screens; memory limitationsand selling requirements will limit this number.

In one embodiment, if a Panel ad is highlighted, has show informationassociated with it, and the advertised show is currently on, the usermay tune directly to the related program by pressing the Left Actionbutton (the Blue button which is labeled “Watch”) or by pressing theEnter/Select button on the remote. Pressing the Watch button also placesthe show in the Record/Watch Schedule for the duration of the show toallow the user to set the frequency to daily or weekly. If the show isnot currently on, pressing the Left Action button places the show in theRecord/Watch Schedule or; pressing the Enter/Select button tunes to thechannel related to the show in the ad. Shows added to the Record/WatchSchedule may be set to be viewed: once, daily, or weekly. The Watchfeature and related Action button labels operate in the same way as ifscheduling a show to watch from the Grid.

In one embodiment, if a Panel ad has show information associated withit, the show may be recorded by highlighting the ad and pressing theRight Action button (the Green button, labeled “Record”). If the show ison now, recording begins immediately and the show is placed in theRecord/Watch Schedule for the duration of the show to allow the user toset the frequency to daily or weekly. If the show is on in the future,that show is added to the Record/Watch Schedule for auto-recording.Shows added to the Record/Watch Schedule may be set to be recorded:once, daily, or weekly. The Record feature and related Action buttonlabels operate in the same way as if scheduling a show to record fromthe Grid.

In one embodiment, Panel ads can be dynamic. There are two areas whichmay be dynamic: 1.) the Panel ad space; and/or 2.) the Information box.

The Panel ad area may change over time, e.g., every x seconds rotatingthrough a plurality of different graphical or textual ad executions inthe Panel ad space. When a Panel ad is highlighted, the ad rotationstops on the currently displayed ad visual. The dynamic rotation doesnot restart until the Panel ad is de-highlighted.

The information box text associated with the Panel ad may change overtime, e.g., every y seconds, rotating through a plurality of differentscreens of text. The screen rotation stops if the user presses the Info.Button, displaying the first page of info. text. This option isavailable for advertisers to rotate different headlines in theinformation box. The user may view subsequent pages by pressing theInfo. button again. The screen rotation does not restart until after thePanel ad is de-highlighted.

4. Virtual Channel Ad Slots.

The EPG provides producers of infomercials with extended capabilities toreach the viewers through Virtual Channel Ad Slots, also referred to asChannel ads. Virtual Channel Ad Slots appear as rows of the Grid Guideand typically show the titles of the programs that are scheduled for aparticular channel. The EPG Grid Guide's Virtual Channel Ad Slotsprovide advertisement to be displayed as a row in the Grid Guidesschedule of programs. The Virtual Channel Ad Slots may be used toprovide multiple exposures of a particular program in the guide. TheVirtual Channel Ad Slots act like a channel entry in the Grid Guide inthat the viewer can record, watch, schedule for watching, and/or getinformation about the advertised program in the information detail boxof the Grid Guide.

In FIG. 1 of the drawing, tile 52 shows an example of a Virtual ChannelAd Slot for an ad for a television program—it is a program listing thatis out of place channel-wise and time-wise in the Grid Guide 22. Thatis, it does not appear in the usual channel position or time position inthe guide, but the tile is otherwise like the other program listingtiles of grid guide 22 (including height), except that it occupies theentire width of the tile irrespective of the duration of the program. Atile for a normal program listing scrolls off the screen as the up anddown arrow keys are pressed. In contrast, in one embodiment, a VirtualChannel Ad Slot, such as shown in tile 52, remains on the screen at alltimes as the up and down arrow keys are pressed, so the ad remains inview at all times.

Channel ads do not occupy a fixed area. Channel ads are essentiallyinserted between channels in the grid. If there are no Channel ads sold,the grid will simply be a continuous list of channels/show tiles with nogaps. As these channel ads take up a channel slot in the grid, it isdesirable to limit how many are likely to appear on any one screen toensure the Guide is a useful source of TV programming information.Typically, there will be approximately 1 Channel ad per hard page.

Channel ads are typically the height of a channel slot, the width of thegrid and are intermingled with the channel listings. The usable area fora Channel ad is typically 24 pixels high×344 pixels wide, with 2 pixelwide bevels all around.

There are several types of Channel ads, including: Relative, Parent, andFixed position Channel ads.

Relative Channel Ads appear in a position relative to the top of thegrid and are spaced every n channel slots, where n is some number. Theseads appear and disappear as the user pages through the Guide's hardpages. It is anticipated that n will usually (but not necessarilyalways) equal 9 since this is the number of channels in the PIP versiongrid. This would provide for one ad per hard page. A location for thefirst ad can be selected on the first page and subsequent ads followevery n channel slots. The same ad is repeated every n^(th) slot. Thismethod of repeating every n^(th) channel slot is true for both PIP andnon-PIP versions. Typically, as a user turns channels off, the spacingof these ads remains constant (every n channel slots). In the event thatthere are not enough channels to continue this spacing, ads will appearat the end of the grid listings.

Parent Channel ads are related to a specific channel located directlyabove the ad. A Parent Channel ad is attached to its adjacent “parent”channel (that is, the ad follows the parent channel). As it is desirableto limit the number of Channel ads seen on any one screen, the number ofParent ads will typically be limited. Additionally, if the parentchannel is turned off, the ad will typically be displayed at the bottomof the grid.

Fixed Position Channel ads are located in one specific location, y(where y is some number) channels down from the top of the grid. If y isgreater than the number of channels in the grid, the ad will be locatedat the end of the grid.

Except as noted above regarding Parent and Fixed Position Channel ads,Channel ads will typically be spaced so that no more than one Channel adis displayed at one time.

In one embodiment, Channel ads page vertically along with the channellisting information. These ads remain in a fixed position when the gridis scrolled horizontally. The user can highlight these Channel ads justas any show title can be highlighted. When highlighted, these Channelads display additional information in the info. box just as when anychannel is highlighted.

Channel ads are typically surrounded by bevels just like any show tile.Channel ad highlighting is typically similar to Panel ad highlighting.In one embodiment, when a user highlights a Channel ad, the bevelschange to a flat (non-beveled) yellow border. When a Channel ad show isset to record the border turns red (dark red when not highlighted,light/bright red when highlighted). When a Channel ad show is scheduledto watch, the border turns orange (dark orange when not highlighted,light/bright orange when highlighted).

In one embodiment, Channel ads can have multiple, sequential info. box“screens” of information. The availability of this additionalinformation is indicated by an “i” icon. The user can access theadditional information by pressing the info. button.

In one embodiment, if a Channel ad is highlighted, has show informationassociated with it, and the advertised show is currently on, the usermay tune directly to the related program by pressing the Left Actionbutton (the Blue button which is labeled “Watch”) or by pressing theEnter/Select button on the remote. Pressing the Watch button also placesthe show in the Record/Watch Schedule for the duration of the show. Ifthe show is not currently on, pressing the Left Action button places theshow in the Record/Watch Schedule for future auto-viewing; pressing theEnter/Select button tunes to the channel related to the show in theChannel ad. Shows added to the Record/Watch Schedule may be set to beviewed: once, daily, or weekly. The Watch feature and related Actionbutton labels operate in the same way as if scheduling a show to watchfrom the Grid.

In one embodiment, if a Channel ad has show information associated withit, the show may be recorded by highlighting the ad and pressing theRight Action button (the Green button, labeled Record). If the show isalready being delivered in the television signal, recording beginsimmediately and the show is placed in the Record/Watch Schedule for theduration of the show. If the show is on in the future, the show is addedto the Record/Watch Schedule for recording. Shows added to theRecord/Watch Schedule may be set to be recorded: once, daily, or weekly.The Record feature and related Action button labels operate in the sameway as if recording a show from the Grid.

Channel ads can be dynamic.

5. Placeholder Ads

In one embodiment, when the Guide is first setup, the initial downloadof information will not have been received. The Panel ad spaces must befilled with Placeholder ads that are stored in ROM. These ads must be“timeless” as they will appear each time a TV is set up, either for thefirst time or after a power outage.

One use for the Panel ad space is for help text. Help text that drawsthe user to select the ad space could serve as a “tutorial” on how toaccess Panel ads, the additional information on info. screens, and howto Watch and Record from ads.

6. Full Screen Ads.

When the viewer first enters the EPG, the EPG can display a full screenad, such as an ad that would be displayed in the Ad Window. The viewercan interact with the full screen ad in the same manner in which theviewer can interact with the Ad Window. That is, the viewer can instructthe EPG to record, or to add to the watch list, the infomercial orprogram, if there is one, that is associated with the advertisement.

7. Automatic Watch Channel.

Rather than have the last channel watched as the first channel tuned thenext time that the viewer turns on the television, a channel selected bythe viewer could be automatically tuned. In one embodiment, the viewerindicates the Automatic watch channel in the Watch List Function of theEPG. In another embodiment, a broadcaster sends an on-screen query toeach viewer to enter a command if the viewer wants the broadcaster'schannel to be the first watched channel when the viewer first turns onthe television.

8. Ad Features.

Ads may feature, among other things, a graphics field, a text field or acombination of a graphics and text field.

Graphics are typically presented in 8 bit/pixel (using “320 mode”), 4bit/pixel (in “640 mode”) and 1 bit/pixel images. In some embodiments,there will be memory limitations. In embodiments with such memorylimitations, it is expected that Panel ads will contain graphics nolarger than 25% of the ad area when 4 or 8 bit/pixel graphics are used.100% of the area may be used for a 1 bit/pixel graphic. Channel adgraphics will typically, but not necessarily, be limited to the channellogo portion of the ad. (The use of the word “typically” here, andelsewhere in this application, means “typically, but not necessarily.”)The remaining portion of the Channel ad will typically be text only.

Displayed text will typically have the following characteristics:

-   -   available normal and condensed 18 and 24 point fonts    -   oblique version of the fonts    -   underlining    -   bold    -   centering    -   left and right justification    -   color can be selected once per line

Text could also be displayed as a 1 bit/pixel bitmap in the Panel adareas only.

Background colors will have an impact on the overall look and usabilityof the Guide. The following describes a typical embodiment.

Panel ad background colors may be selected by the advertiser and willtypically be subject to luminance constraints set forth below.

Channel ad background colors may be restricted. Show tile backgroundcolors are used as keys for show categories (movies, sports, etc.) andactions taken on a show (set to record or watch). While most anybackground color could be displayed it is desirable to maintain theintegrity of the show tile color schemes. Therefore, it is likely that alimited set of background colors or a set of colors which can not beused will be specified for advertising agencies to use when developingChannel ad creative. Channel ad backgrounds will typically be subject toluminance constraints set forth below.

The Info. box background will typically be gray and typically can not bechanged by the advertiser.

There are typically limitations on the luminance of the colors in theads. If the luminance is set too high, the screen image will blister.These limitations will be set, according to the embodiment, andcommunicated to the advertisers for their development consideration. Adsthat do not comply with luminance restrictions for the particularembodiment will be subject to default override limitations.

In one embodiment, the viewer can interact with the ads and thetelevision. For instance, Tune-in ads will allow the viewer to tunedirectly to a show in progress from a highlighted ad block assuming thead block has program information associated with it. An in progress showassociated with an ad is directly tuned by pressing either theEnter/Select button or the Left Action button (the Blue button labeled“Watch”).

Direct-record ads will allow the user to record a show in progress orscheduled to be on in the future from a highlighted ad block. There isno practical limit on how far into the future a direct-record associatedshow may be scheduled to air. A show associated with an ad is recordedby pressing the Right Action button while the ad is highlighted. Theuser may select a record frequency of once, daily or weekly. From an ad,the user presses the Right Action button (the Green button labeled“Record”) to place the show in the Record Schedule. In the event thatthe show is currently on, pressing the Right Action button whilehighlighting an ad allows recording of the show in progress. The showtitle is also placed in the Record Schedule until the show ends in theevent the user wishes to modify the record frequency to daily or weekly.

Watch ads consist of a program advertised in any ad space. The programadvertised may be placed into the Watch Schedule as long as the ad blockhas program information associated with it. There is no practical limiton how far into the future an associated show may be scheduled to air.The Watch feature operates much the same way as the Record feature,except that it tunes the television (“TV”) to the show rather thanrecording it. If a user is watching TV, the channel automaticallychanges to a show placed in the Watch Schedule when the show begins. Ifthe TV is turned off when a show in the Watch Schedule is scheduled tobegin, the TV is turned on and tuned to the desired channel (TVimplementations only, not VCR.) The user may select a watch frequency ofonce, daily or weekly. From an ad, the user presses the Left Actionbutton (the Blue button labeled “Watch”) to place the show in the WatchSchedule. In the event that the show is currently on, pressing the LeftAction button while highlighting an ad results in tuning directly to theshow. The show title is also placed in the Watch Schedule until the showends in the event the user wishes to modify the watch frequency to dailyor weekly.

Ads may have multiple levels of information. Typically, First LevelInformation is the ad copy and/or graphics that are presented on screenwith no user action. This comprises the Panel and Channel ad areas.

Typically, Second Level Information (if provided by the advertiser) isautomatically made visible (“Auto-Open”) when the user highlights an adblock by scrolling onto it. This secondary information is presented inthe info. box when a Channel ad is selected and in an automaticallyexpanded version of the info. box that covers the entire channel gridarea when a Panel ad is highlighted. The “i” icon on the ad, placed atthe advertiser's discretion, indicates there is more informationavailable for that ad. The second level information may be text and/orgraphics depending on memory availability.

Typically, Third Level Information (if provided by the advertiser)availability is indicated by the info. button “i” on a Second Levelinformation screen. Pressing the info. button accesses this informationand cause the information box to expand for Channel ads to cover theentire grid area. This information can be multiple pages long. Pressingthe info. button successive times cycles the user through the multiplepages. Pressing the info. button from the last available screen causesthe information box to contract to its original size for all ads. Thethird level information may be text and/or graphics depending uponmemory capabilities.

Ad Blocks can be dynamic. Memory permitting, the Panel ad graphicsand/or text and information box text may change every X (where X is somenumber) seconds rotating through a limit of N (where N is some number)different graphical or textual executions. There is the capability tolimit the number of dynamic ads displayed at any one time.

Ad duration and start time/end time can be scheduled and/or dynamic. Inone embodiment, ads are to be displayed at a given start time with arelated end time. The time between the start and end is the ad'sduration. The minimum duration increment is typically 60 seconds. In oneembodiment, an ad will not be replaced automatically when an ad's endtime arrives. Ads will only change when the user's actions cause a new“hard page,” or new section of the guide to appear (e.g. going from theGrid to Sort).

Ads can rotate. For example, different ads can appear each time the userenters the same page/section of the Guide. There is no hard limit on thenumber of ads placed in rotation. Ads can be assigned a priority withthe ad of the highest priority being displayed the first time a hardpage or section is accessed. Then the second priority ad is displayedthe next time the user views this page and so forth. The prioritycounter is page dependent, meaning that if the user views the first pagefor a third time, they will see the third priority ad on that page andif they then scroll to the second page for the first time, they will seethe first priority ad on the second page.

Ads may differ by the section of the Guide being viewed. For example, ifa user is viewing the Sports theme area, an ad for ESPN Sports Centermay appear, whereas a different ad was presented when the user was onthe main grid.

The EPG can determine which advertisements to display depending upon theadvertisement being displayed on the television channel that the viewerwas watching immediately before entering the EPG. That is, if a Toyotaadvertisement was being shown on the channel that the viewer waswatching at the time that the viewer entered the EPG, then the EPG canbe timed to display a correlative Toyota advertisement in some portionof the EPG, e.g., the Ad Window. a television program.

In one embodiment, the EPG tests the Viewer Profile to determine whichad to display at various times during the viewer's session with the EPG.The EPG can assign Ad and Page priorities to represent the advertisers'investment and the relative viewer's profile.

Graphically dynamic ads typically present different graphics every xseconds (where x is some number, with x as small as 1.0 second) rotatingthrough n (where n is some number) graphical or textual executions.Typically, only a limited number of these ads will be displayed at anyone time (likely a maximum of 1 per screen) as busy screens willdecrease the effectiveness of the ads and the utility of the Guide.

Ads must be “identifiable” and “accessible” once placed in memory inorder to allow advertisers to “pull” an ad, to update an ad, or tocorrect errors in transmission.

G. Improved Product Information Access by the Viewer

1. Ad Window Product Detail.

The viewer can highlight the Ad Window to locate additional informationabout the product advertised. In one embodiment, the viewer highlightsthe Ad Window by pressing the arrow/directional navigational keys of theremote control device to navigate the remote control device pointer tothe location of the Ad Window on the on-screen television monitordisplay. When the remote control device pointer is located at the AdWindow on the on-screen television monitor display, the on-screendisplay of the Ad Window will be highlighted. In one embodiment, thecolor of the Ad Window itself will become brighter or show a lightedeffect. In another embodiment, the color of a border surrounding the AdWindow will become brighter or show a lighted effect. Highlighting theAd Window will cause additional text describing the product to bedisplayed in the detail box are of the EPG Grid Guide. Alternatively,the EPG provides the producers of infomercials with the opportunity toprovide the viewer with the opportunity to view a video clip about theproduct being advertised.

The Ad Window can be optionally interactive. The Internet address of aweb site containing information relevant to the ad being displayed inthe Ad Window can be displayed in the Ad Window as a web site address,as an icon, or in some other graphical presentation, such as a stylized“i” indicating additional interactive information. Furthermore, theviewer's interaction with the Ad Window will be monitored by the EPG torecord as part of the viewer's profile.

2. Ad Window Product-related Recording

The EPG provides viewers the opportunity to access extended productinformation about which the viewer is interested. Because of the cost ofbuying advertising time, a growing number of product manufacturers andmarketers produce infomercials about their products. Because of the costof air-time, many manufacturers and marketers buy relatively inexpensiveair time for their infomercials according to off-prime-time schedules,often on non-prime channels. The EPG provides the viewer the opportunityto record an infomercial that is broadcast at a time, or on a channel,that would be inconvenient for the viewer to watch real-time. If the AdWindow displays information about a particular product, pressing arecord button will instruct the EPG to record an infomercial, to theextent that one is scheduled for a future time. Alternatively, theviewer can designate the infomercial for the Watch List.

3. Ad Window Program-related Recording

The EPG provides viewers with additional opportunities to instruct theEPG to record or watch a future-scheduled television program. The AdWindow can display information about a future-scheduled televisionprogram. If the viewer is interested in recording the program, theviewer can instruct the EPG to record the future-scheduled program. Inone embodiment, the viewer presses record button on the remote controldevice to instruct the EPG to record the future-scheduled program.Alternatively, the viewer can instruct the EPG to add program to theWatch List. Alternatively, the viewer can view a video clip about theprogram.

H. Creation of a Viewer's Profile

1. Collecting Viewer Profile Information.

The EPG requests that the viewer provide certain profile information,including but not limited to: the viewer's zip code; television, cable,and satellite services to which the viewer subscribes; the length ofsaid subscriptions; the type of television; the age of the television;where the television was purchased; the viewer's top favorite channels;the viewer's favorite types of programs; and the times during which theviewer is most likely to watch television. If the viewer declines toprovide this information, the EPG will attempt to “learn” theinformation as described below.

In one embodiment, the EPG is capable of distinguishing betweenindividual viewers and develops individualized profiles. For instance,in one embodiment, each viewer has an individual PIN or otheridentification number. In another embodiment, each viewer uses anindividualized remote. In yet another embodiment, there is an absence ofa way to distinguish one viewer from another. In that case, the profileis developed for the “family.”

Every time the viewer interacts with the EPG or the television, the EPGrecords the viewer's actions and the circumstances surrounding thoseactions. For instance, when the viewer changes channels, the EPGrecords, among other things, information about the first channel, thechanged-to channel, the time that the change was made, theidentification of the programming that was displayed on the firstchannel, the identification of the programming that was displayed on thechanged-to channel, the time of the change, the identification of anyadvertisement that was displayed on the first channel at the time of thechange, the identification of any advertisement that was displayed onthe changed-to channel, and whether the viewer changed channels while inone of the EPG modes, as opposed to being in the television mode. TheEPG will also record every instruction by the viewer to record or watcha program, whether the instruction is Once, Daily, Weekly, or Regularly.The EPG will also record whether the viewer changes the volume of thetelevision audio, and if so, what circumstances surrounded the change involume. If the viewer changes channels while in one of the EPG modes,then the EPG records information about what was displayed in each of thewindows of the EPG UI before and after the change.

The EPG also records information when there is an absence of interactionbetween the viewer and the television or the EPG. For instance, the EPGwill record whether a viewer continues to view an advertisement ratherthan changing channels. The EPG calculates and records the entireduration of the time that the television is on in any particular day.

The EPG also records information surrounding the viewer's interactionwith external sources of information, such as the Internet. Forinstance, the EPG records each search query criteria initiated by theviewer, the Search Engine used to make the search, the items selected bythe viewer from the search response, interaction by the user withInternet sites, and viewer interactions with the EPG during the sametime-frame as the viewer interacts with the Internet.

An alternative to the above-described individual viewer profileinformation collection would be to provide on-screen survey queries.That is, the EPG could display an offer on-screen that would tell theviewer to call a toll-free number for the purpose of reading anon-screen encrypted number for the survey in exchange for a giftcertificate. The offer could be made only to viewers watching aparticular program or particular advertisement at a particular time.Survey responses would provide useful information further surveycustomization, customizing the guide, and targeting advertising.

2. Analyzing and Characterizing Viewer Profile Information.

The viewer profile information (data collected concerning, andsurrounding, a viewer's interaction with the television, the EPG(including the recording and watching functions), the Internet, theWorld Wide Web, and any other sources of information external to theEPG, but through which the viewer interact)) can be sent to a computerat the head end of television distribution for analysis, or in thealternative, can be analyzed by the EPG.

Information about the viewer is captured on an ongoing basis. Similarly,viewer profile data is updated on an ongoing basis. Accordingly, theviewer profile analysis program (the “Profile Program”), can be repeatedat some time interval to incorporate additional information about theviewer that has been captured since the last analysis. Alternatively,the Profile Program is a real time program that processes each discreteitem of information about a viewer as the data is captured.

The viewer profile analysis program (the “Profile Program”), may beresident at the head end, in the Internet, included as part of the EPG,or distributed among these various possible locations. The ProfileProgram performs a variety of different types of analysis on the viewerprofile data. For instance, the Profile Program performs simplestatistical analysis of the data collected. The Profile Programaccumulates, among other things, the number of times that the viewer:interacted with the EPG during a particular viewing session; performedparticular types of interactions with the EPG; watched a particularchannel; interacted with the Internet during a particular viewingsession, interacted with a particular website; watched and/or recordedand/or scheduled to watch a program with a particular type of theme(e.g., comedy, sports, drama, movie, sitcom, science fiction, adventure,mystery, documentary, cooking, travel, etc.); and watched and/orrecorded and/or scheduled to watch a program with a particular type ofsubject (e.g., golf, tennis, football, basketball, baseball, animals,food, etc.), or a particular actor or actress. The Profile Program alsocalculates the duration of each viewing and compiles, among otherthings, statistics about the times of day and days of the week duringwhich the viewer watches television, interacts with the EPG, orinteracts with the Internet or the World Wide Web.

Using the basic viewer profile data and the simple statistics collectedabout a particular viewer, the Profile Program “learns” to recognize afiner breakdown about the various types of data collected and then usesthe learned information to describe a “Viewer Preference.” For instance,if the Profile Program detects that the viewer watches sports programs,and that a number of sports programs are basketball games, the ProfileProgram analyzes the teams involved in the programs watched. The ProfileProgram is able, in this manner, to determine whether the viewer is afan of a particular team. If so, the Profile Program records theviewer's team affiliation as a Viewer Preference.

The Profile Program performs multiple levels of sophisticated analysisand learning involving numerous comparisons of the basic viewer profiledata and the simple statistics collected about a particular viewer todevelop Viewer Characteristics. In this way, the Profile Programdevelops a multi-dimensional profile of the viewer. For example, oncethe Profile Program detects a Viewer Preference, the Profile Programcompares, e.g., the number of times that the viewer interacts with theEPG or an external information source such as the Internet/World WideWeb, during a telecast of a program that relates to the ViewerPreference (e.g., a basketball game involving the viewer's favoriteteam) with, e.g., the number of times that the viewer interacts with theEPG or an external information source such as the Internet/World WideWeb, during a telecast of a program that does not relate to the ViewerPreference.

Further, the types of interactions in both sets of circumstances areanalyzed. In this way, the Profile Program determines ViewerCharacteristics relating to, among other things: attention span; generalinterest in product advertisements; interest in specific types ofproduct information; propensity for impulse buying; correlation ofimpulse buying habits to price ranges, product types, and advertisingformats; interest in recording and/or watching future-scheduledprograms; interest in accessing additional levels of informationconcerning television programs; and interest in accessing additionallevels of information concerning product advertisements including thecorrelation of such interest with the Viewer Preferences. Over time,with sufficient data, the EPG characterizes the viewer's sense of humor,chronological age, activity age, whether the viewer is married, whetherthe viewer has children, whether the viewer has a pet and what type ofpet the viewer likely has, whether the viewer is interested in buying aparticular type of appliance, whether the viewer is considering buying acar, the viewer's likely political affiliations, and a broad range ofvarious other Viewer Characteristics.

Yet further, the Profile Program analyzes an individual's Viewer Profileas compared to the Viewer Profiles of others. With this cross-comparisonanalysis, the Profile Program can determine the likelihood that thesubject viewer will prefer or be interested in a particular subject,product, theme, movie, episode, etc. based on comparisons to similarViewer Profiles.

I. Utilization of Viewer Profile Information to Customize VariousAspects of the EPG

The EPG and Profile Program use the basic viewer profile data, thesimple statistics collected about a particular viewer, ViewerPreferences and Viewer Characteristics (collectively, hereinafter, the“Viewer's Profile”) to customize various aspects of the EPG. The viewerhas the option to block any of these automatic customization features inthe EPG Setup Mode. One aspect of the EPG that will be customized is theorder of the channel slots presented in the Grid Guide. The order inwhich the channel slots are presented can be customized to present theviewer's favorite channels at the top/beginning of the Grid Guide indescending order according to the Viewer's Profile.

In one embodiment, the order of the channel slots is customizedaccording to the day of the week and the time of day in accordance withthe Viewer's Profile. For instance, if a particular viewer frequentlywatched Nick at Nite on weekday evenings from 7 pm to 10 pm, then theEPG automatically tunes the television when turned on between 7 pm and10 pm, to the appropriate Nick at Nite channel and formats the GridGuide to show the Nick at Nite channel as the first channel in the GridGuide. If the same viewer typically watched ESPN during daytime hours onSaturday and Sunday, then the EPG automatically tunes the televisionwhen turned on between, e.g., 7 am through 7 pm on Saturday and Sundayto one of the ESPN channels and formats the Grid Guide to show the ESPNchannels as the first several channels in the Grid Guide whenever theviewer enters the Grid Guide between, e.g., 7 am through 7 pm onSaturday and Sunday.

At the viewer's option, the EPG and Profile Program use the basic viewerprofile data, the simple statistics collected about a particular viewer,Viewer Preferences and Viewer Characteristics to perform automaticsurfing. At the viewer's option, auto surfing can be performed duringreal-time advertising telecasts. At the viewer's further option, autosurfing can be performed in PIP Watch Function, allowing the viewer towatch the program currently tuned in the main Picture Window, whileproviding auto surfing in the PIP Window. Alternatively, at the viewer'soption, auto surfing can be performed in PIP Watch Function, allowingthe viewer to watch the program currently tuned in the PIP Window, whileproviding auto surfing in the Main Picture Window. Still further, theviewer can choose the option of selecting a different advertisement towatch, or manually surfing channels of the viewer's choice.

At the viewer's option, the EPG and Profile Program use the basic viewerprofile data, the simple statistics collected about a particular viewer,Viewer Preferences and Viewer Characteristics to populate the RecordList and/or the Watch List with programs that are likely to suit theviewer's interests. In one embodiment, searches for this type ofinformation are conducted at a central computer at the head end. Inanother embodiment, queries are constructed and fed to an Internetsearch engine.

At the viewer's option, the EPG and Profile Program use the basic viewerprofile data, the simple statistics collected about a particular viewer,Viewer Preferences and Viewer Characteristics to search for news storiesthat are likely to suit the viewer's interests. The problem that issolved is automatically (without an editorial staff) choosing newsstories from multiple news feeds for display to a particular viewer in anews service. The content of the audio portion of the news broadcast isdigitized and can be stored at a central computer, on one or more websites, on DVD's (both video and audio recordings) local to theparticular viewer's television system, or in memory at the particularviewer's television system. In addition to the audio content, videorecordings of the news stories can also be stored.

The Viewer's Profile, and in some embodiments, specific input from theviewer, is then used to construct data-mining search queries to locateand deliver content that matches the viewer's profiled interests and/orthe viewer's specific requests for information. The news stories arethen indexed (as described elsewhere in this disclosure). The EPGpresents the viewer with the customized index. In this way, the viewerselects the news stories for viewing in much the same way as the viewerselects television programs that the viewer wants to watch or record.Furthermore, web sites containing additional information concerning theindexed news stories can be posted, e.g., as part of the detaileddescription area text presented at the time that the viewer highlights aparticular news story for viewing.

In one embodiment, Theme Guides provide “Smart Sorting” based on theViewer's Profile (which is explained more fully elsewhere in thisapplication). That is, if a program is on two channels, the system willselect the best channel based on which of the two channels the viewerwatches more often. In one embodiment, the Theme Guides are furthercustomized according to the Viewer's Profile. For instance, aninformation broadcast packet sent with the scores is used to order thescore in the sports guide consistent with the Viewer's Profile. Forinstance, the score for a game involving the Boston Red Sox woulddisplay the scores for the Red Sox first for a viewer in Boston.

During set up procedures, the EPG provides for automatic channel mapselection. All channel maps in the viewer's zip code are downloaded. Zipcode related options are displayed. In one embodiment, the viewer isasked to identify information necessary for the television to select theappropriate channel mapping option, but the television automaticallyselects the appropriate channel map. For instance, the viewer is askedto identify, e.g., the distribution service to which the viewersubscribes, e.g., Colonial Cable, and a particular channel map, e.g.,does the viewer receive HBO on channel 43. In this way, the vieweridentifies the information necessary for the television to select theappropriate channel map. Alternatively, the viewer is actually asked toselect the channel map, e.g., “if you have Colonial Cable and get HBO onchannel 43, pick this channel map.”

J. Utilization of Viewer Profile Information to Provide CustomizedPresentation of Advertising to the Viewer

The EPG and the Profile Program use Viewer Profile information to tailorthe presentation and scheduling of advertisements to the viewer and tocustomize the presentation of the EPG for the user. For instance, theEPG uses Viewer Profile information to determine whether to notify theviewer about scheduling for a program involving the viewer's favoriteteam, a talk show involving a star player from that team, etc. The EPGis capable of such customized notification/advertisement through e.g.,an advertisement in the Ad Window, or through an advertisement in aVirtual Ad Channel Slot.

Additionally, the EPG and the Profile Program use Viewer Profileinformation to customize the presentation and/or scheduling of telecastadvertisements that are viewable during the real time telecast of thetelevision program that the viewer is watching. One example iscustomizing an overlay message to an advertisement on a local geographicbasis. For instance, the EPG knows the geographic location of theindividual viewer. The broadcaster can packet match on the zip code tocustomize the message so each zip code gets a different message, i.e.,the 3 Burger Kings in the viewer's local area. In one embodiment, thecustomized messages can be preloaded by zip code into the memories ofparticular viewers' EPG's. The preloaded messages can be transmitted bya head end during off hours and stored in the viewer's terminal for usewhen the advertisement runs, e.g., during a television program or in avideo clip in the Ad Window. The electronic trigger to run the messagecan be transmitted along with the television signal in real time and canidentify the messages stored in the user terminal that need to beapplied.

In another embodiment, the customized messages are narrowcast with thetelevised advertisement. One way to narrowcast the customized messagesis to embed the customized information in the advertisement videostream. Another way is to transmit a digital “watermark” in the videostream of the advertisement.

In one embodiment, customization of real-time viewing of advertisementsis achieved by providing multiple channels of advertising, by tuning thetelevision automatically to a particular advertising channel at the timeduring the telecast of the television program during which anadvertisement is scheduled to occur, and by then tuning the televisionback to the viewer's chosen television program at the conclusion of theadvertisement. In another embodiment, a service monitors telecasts foradvertisements as they are telecast on a particular channel and insertsa change channel command in the Vertical Blanking Interval (the “VBI”)when an ad is telecast, said change channel command causing thetelevision to tune to a particular channel for a telecast of anadvertisement suitable to the Viewer's Preferences.

Viewer Profile information can be reported, as with, for instance,statistical reports of Viewer Profile information for many viewers.These reports could be provided for analysis by advertisers, head endoperators, Guide producers, or others, to determine, among other things,marketing customization opportunities, narrowcasting opportunities,program detail information requirements, and program distributionscheduling requirements.

The EPG will attempt to capture the approximate initial purchase date(e.g., first turn-on date) of any television/entertainment systemcomponents. The EPG can notify the user at the appropriate time afterthe initial purchase of opportunities such as purchasing an extendedwarranty from the manufacturer. In one embodiment, the terminalequipment is separately addressable providing that such notificationmessages can be sent in the VBI to the appropriate viewer. Based on theViewer Profile, the extended warranty offer could be tailored to theviewer's financial situation.

Another way that the EPG uses Viewer Profile information is inconnection with “access-content” customization of the advertisingmessages displayed by the EPG. Viewer Profile information will includethe television program that the viewer was watching immediately beforeentering the EPG. The EPG can display different ads in the Guide orService based upon the content of the television program that the viewerwas watching before entering the EPG or one of the special data servicesaccessible through the EPG. The “access-content” advertising strategyprovides a much more refined way of targeting the consumer. For example,consider two viewers who are both watching television at 8:00 p.m. on aTuesday night. When the one viewer who has been watching “Nova” entersthe EPG, the EPG might display an advertisement for educationalcomputer; whereas when the second viewer who has been watching MajorLeague Baseball enters the EPG, the EPG might display an advertisementfor Goodyear Tires.

In one embodiment of this invention, a data base of advertising messagesand virtual channel ads is stored in RAM at the viewer terminal or isaccessible at a web site if the viewer terminal has an Internetconnection. In either case, the advertising items in the data base arelabeled with coded categories that correspond to coded category labelsassigned to the telecast television programs. (Preferably, these are thesame categories that are used to sort the programs in the on screencategory or theme guide.) The category labels of the television programscould be stored in RAM as part of the EPG data base and retrieved fromthe applicable Show Information Package (“SIP”) based on the informationfrom the real time clock and the tuner setting. This informationidentifies a time and channel that points to the applicable SIP. Afterthe category label of the last program the viewer was watching in thetelevision mode is retrieved from the EPG data base, this label ismatched to the corresponding label in the data base of advertisingmessages and virtual channel ads stored in RAM. In FIG. 1 of thedrawing, the advertising items to which the labels are attached aredisplayed in ad windows 14 and 16 and the virtual channel ad displayedon tile 52 as described above.

Yet another way that the EPG uses Viewer Profile information is inconnection with “adjacent-content” customization of the advertisingmessages displayed by the EPG. Viewer Profile information will includeidentification of the content that the viewer has currently highlightedin the EPG or related data service. Using this method, the EPG displaysdifferent advertisements depending upon, e.g., which show the viewer hascurrently highlighted in the Grid Guide, what sport is highlighted in asports data service, or what type of news is highlighted in a newsservice (international, local, etc.).

The EPG can select advertisements from various possible locations,including but limited to: a library of advertisements stored at theviewer's terminal in RAM that have been downloaded through the VBI,stored at the head-end, or accessible through an EPG link to theInternet/World Wide Web. The advertisements may be in the form ofgraphics, text, video clips, audio clips, and combinations thereof. Eachadvertisement can be assigned theme codes, profile codes, and otherselection intelligence. In one embodiment, in order to customize theadvertising display, the EPG searches the library of availableadvertisements to locate advertisements that match criteria set by theadvertisers for “access content,” “adjacent content,” and/or ViewerProfile information. In another embodiment, the EPG selectsadvertisements for display according to pre-established selectioncriteria.

The disclosures of the following patent applications are incorporatedfully herein by reference: International Application WO 96/07270;application Ser. No. 60/053,330 filed Jul. 21, 1997; application Ser.No. 60/061,119 filed Oct. 6, 1997; and application Ser. No. 60/055,237filed Aug. 12, 1997.

In one embodiment, the advertisements in the library are assigned tothemes; the history of use of an on-screen theme menu or program guideis recorded; and the history is analyzed by the EPG microprocessor todecide which advertisement to display.

For example, a particular advertisement for automobiles might beassigned to a sports event theme. In a simple implementation, thisautomobile advertisement would be selected for display, if the users ofthe particular EPG selected sports as a theme more frequently than anyother theme during a prescribed period of time. FIG. 7 represents the onscreen display for the top level theme screen; and FIG. 8 represents theon screen display for the second-level theme screen. A theme selectioncould be recorded when a viewer highlights a theme in FIG. 7, such as“Sports”. Selecting a theme brings up a screen listing, by time,channel, and title, of the programs that are consistent with theselected theme on a second-level theme screen, an example of which isshown in FIG. 8. The history of use could be recorded in a memory byoverwriting the oldest data stored in the memory. If desired, a moresophisticated analysis could be used. Thus, the frequency of selectioncould be weighted to favor more recent selections over older selectionsor themes could be combined to determine which advertisement to display.

In another embodiment, the advertisements in the library are assigned toparticular television programs or classes of television programs; thehistory of use of the information box of the EPG is recorded, in termsof frequency of the visits, time spent during a single visit, and/ortotal time of all the visits; the information boxes are correlated tothe television programs, and the results are analyzed to decide whichadvertisement to display. Instead of the information box, any other areaof the EPG screen could be monitored in similar fashion to decide whichadvertisement to display. In each case, the advertisements in thelibrary are assigned to the types or subjects of information displayedin the monitored area so as to target better the advertisements to theinterests of the users.

In another embodiment, the advertisements in the library are alsoassigned to particular television programs or classes of televisionprograms in terms of channel and time; the tuner is monitored; thechannel and time are correlated to the television programs, and theresults are analyzed to decide which advertisement to display. Forexample, an advertisement for brand name athletic shoes with a popularbasketball star could be assigned to basketball programs. The shoeadvertisement would be selected for display if the viewer of theparticular EPG entered the EPG while watching a basketball game.

In another embodiment, the advertisements in the library are alsoassigned to particular television programs or classes of televisionprograms; the history of television programs entered into a“record-watch list” as shown in FIG. 6 is recorded; and the results areanalyzed to decide which advertisement to display.

The time of the monitored event can also be taken into account in orderto distinguish between multiple users of the same EPG or relatedtelevision receiver. The assumption is that the people using the EPG andwatching television at different times of the day have differentinterests—housewives may use the EPG more in the morning, children mayuse it in the early evenings, and men who work outside the home may useit on Sunday afternoons.

History of use as described above can be combined with the“access-content” model described in application Ser. No. 60/055,237 tofurther pin-point advertisements to the user's interests. Thus, if theusers of the particular EPG selected comedies as a theme more frequentlythan any other theme during a prescribed period of time, threeadvertisements might be flagged and the final selection made therefromdepending upon which type of program the viewer was watching ontelevision before switching to the on-screen EPG.

1. A method for presenting a targeted advertisement to a user in anelectronic program guide (EPG), comprising: monitoring televisionprograms that the user tunes to and gathering information on user'sinterests responsive to the television programs that the user tunes to;displaying a plurality of television schedule information itemsincluding time and channel; and simultaneously displaying the targetedadvertisement with the displayed plurality of television scheduleinformation, wherein the advertisement is targeted to the userresponsive to the user's interests.
 2. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising activating the displayed targeted advertisement to invoke afunction.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the function is ordering oneor more of an advertised product and an advertised service.
 4. Themethod of claim 2, wherein the function is scheduling an autotuning to atelevision broadcast about the one or more of an advertised product andan advertised service.
 5. The method of claim 2, wherein the function isscheduling a recording of a television broadcast about the one or moreof an advertised product and an advertised service.
 6. The method ofclaim 2, wherein the function is tuning to a television broadcast aboutthe one or more of an advertised product and an advertised service. 7.The method of claim 2, wherein the advertisement is about a televisionprogram.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the function is autotuning tothe television program.
 9. The method of claim 7, wherein the functionis scheduling a recording of the television program.
 10. The method ofclaim 2, wherein the advertisement is about a pay program.
 11. Themethod of claim 10, wherein the function is scheduling viewing of thepay program.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the advertisementincludes one or more of text, graphics, and video.
 13. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising monitoring television programs that aplurality of users tune to and gathering information on each of theplurality of user's interests responsive to the television programs thatthe plurality of users tune to.
 14. A method for presenting a targetedadvertisement to a user in an electronic program guide (EPG),comprising: monitoring television channels that the user tunes to andgathering information on user's interests responsive to the televisionchannels that the user tunes to; displaying a plurality of televisionschedule information items including time and channel; andsimultaneously displaying the targeted advertisement with the displayedplurality of television schedule information, wherein the advertisementis targeted to the user responsive to the user's interests.
 15. Themethod of claim 14, further comprising activating the displayed targetedadvertisement to invoke a function.
 16. The method of claim 15, whereinthe function is ordering one or more of an advertised product and anadvertised service.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the function isscheduling an autotuning to a television broadcast about the one or moreof an advertised product and an advertised service.
 18. The method ofclaim 15, wherein the function is scheduling a recording of a televisionbroadcast about the one or more of an advertised product and anadvertised service.
 19. The method of claim 15, wherein the function istuning to a television broadcast about the one or more of an advertisedproduct and an advertised service.
 20. The method of claim 15, whereinthe advertisement is about a television program.
 21. The method of claim20, wherein the function is autotuning to the television program. 22.The method of claim 20, wherein the function is scheduling a recordingof the television program.
 23. The method of claim 15, wherein theadvertisement is about a pay program.
 24. The method of claim 23,wherein the function is scheduling viewing of the pay program.
 25. Themethod of claim 14, wherein the advertisement includes one or more oftext, graphics, and video.
 26. The method of claim 14, furthercomprising monitoring television channels that a plurality of users tuneto and gathering information on each of the plurality of users'interests responsive to the television channels that the plurality ofusers tune to.
 27. A method for presenting a targeted advertisement to auser in an electronic program guide (EPG), comprising: monitoring user'sinteractions with the EPG and gathering information on user's interestsresponsive to the user's interactions with the EPG; displaying aplurality of television schedule information including time, channel,and date; and simultaneously displaying the targeted advertisement withthe displayed plurality of television schedule information, wherein theadvertisement is targeted to the user responsive to the user'sinterests.
 28. The method of claim 27, further comprising activating thedisplayed targeted advertisement to invoke a function.
 29. The method ofclaim 28, wherein the function is ordering one or more of an advertisedproduct and an advertised service.
 30. The method of claim 28, whereinthe function is scheduling an autotuning to a television broadcast aboutthe one or more of an advertised product and an advertised service. 31.The method of claim 28, wherein the function is scheduling a recordingof a television broadcast about the one or more of an advertised productand an advertised service.
 32. The method of claim 28, wherein thefunction is tuning to a television broadcast about the one or more of anadvertised product and an advertised service.
 33. The method of claim28, wherein the advertisement is about a television program.
 34. Themethod of claim 33, wherein the function is autotuning to the televisionprogram.
 35. The method of claim 33, wherein the function is schedulinga recording of the television program.
 36. The method of claim 28,wherein the advertisement is about a pay program.
 37. The method ofclaim 36, wherein the function is scheduling viewing of the pay program.38. The method of claim 27, wherein the advertisement includes one ormore of text, graphics, and video.
 39. The method of claim 27, furthercomprising monitoring a plurality of users' interactions with the EPGand gathering information on each of the plurality of users' interestsresponsive to the plurality of users' interactions with the EPG.
 40. Asystem for presenting a targeted advertisement to a user in anelectronic program guide (EPG), comprising: means for monitoringtelevision programs that the user tunes to and gathering information onuser's interests responsive to the television programs that the usertunes to; means for displaying a plurality of television scheduleinformation items including time and channel; and means forsimultaneously displaying the targeted advertisement with the displayedplurality of television schedule information, wherein the advertisementis targeted to the user responsive to the user's interests.
 41. Thesystem of claim 40, further comprising means for activating thedisplayed targeted advertisement to invoke a function.
 42. The system ofclaim 41, wherein the function is ordering one or more of an advertisedproduct and an advertised service.
 43. A system for presenting atargeted advertisement to a user in an electronic program guide (EPG),comprising: means for monitoring television channels that the user tunesto and gathering information on user's interests responsive to thetelevision channels that the user tunes to; means for displaying aplurality of television schedule information items including time andchannel; and means for simultaneously displaying the targetedadvertisement with the displayed plurality of television scheduleinformation, wherein the advertisement is targeted to the userresponsive to the user's interests.
 44. The system of claim 43, furthercomprising means for activating the displayed targeted advertisement toinvoke a function.
 45. The system of claim 44, wherein the function isordering one or more of an advertised product and an advertised service.46. A system for presenting a targeted advertisement to a user in anelectronic program guide (EPG), comprising: means for monitoring user'sinteractions with the EPG and gathering information on user's interestsresponsive to the user's interactions with the EPG; means for displayinga plurality of television schedule information including time, channel,and date; and means for simultaneously displaying the targetedadvertisement with the displayed plurality of television scheduleinformation, wherein the advertisement is targeted to the userresponsive to the user's interests.
 47. The system of claim 46, furthercomprising means for activating the displayed targeted advertisement toinvoke a function.
 48. The system of claim 47, wherein the function isordering one or more of an advertised product and an advertised service.